Animism

Background

Animism is the oldest known type of belief system in the world. It is still practiced in a variety of forms in many traditional societies.

The Basics

Founder - There is no one person who is considered the founder of Animism.

Geographic Origin - Developed simultaneously in different parts of the world.

Currently Practiced - World-wide, but most common in areas of Africa and the Americas.

Significant Writings - Most traditional cultures that practice Animism also have an oral tradition of story-telling, rather than a developed writing system.

Places of Worship - Animist rituals tend to take place outdoors in nature.

Significant Religious People - Animist rituals are typically conducted by a Shaman, Medicine Man, or Medicine Woman.

Teachings and Beliefs

Animists practice nature worship. They believe that everything in the universe has a spirit. This is exemplified by the practices of the Plains Indians in North America who would praise the spirit of the buffalo that they killed for giving its life to them so that they might survive. Animists also believed that ancestors watch over the living from the spirit world. This belief resulted in ancestor worship as a means of communicating with and showing respect to ancestors.