160 
for himself? 24. Is there any restriction placed upon 
certain kinds of food? and why? 25. How long does this 
taboo last? is the release gradual? 26. Is there any 
ceremony on the raising of the taboo from any particular 
animal ? 27. What are the privileges of the initiated ? 
28. Is initiation essential before marriage in both men and 
women ? 29. Are any Phallic symbols carried or worn 
during the ceremonies? 30. Is there any suggestion of 
Phallic worship. 
C. H. R. 
No. XL.—TOTEMISM. 
Totemism is the name given to a religious and social system 
which has been found amongst savages in many parts of the 
world, especially Australia, North America, and Africa. A 
totem is a sacred object, generally an animal, less often a 
plant or inanimate object, of which the whole species is 
revered by a tribe or clan. The tribe or clan generally takes 
its name from the totem. Thus if the totem is a wolf, the 
tribesmen or clansmen call themselves Wolves, and they will 
not kill or injure wolves or eat wolfs flesh. Often the clans¬ 
men think that they are descended from the totem, but some¬ 
times they explain their connection with the totem in other 
ways. Where totemism exists in full force, a man may not 
marry a woman of the same totem as himself; thus if he is a 
Wolf he may not marry a Wolf, but may marry a Bear, &c.. 
Where this rule of exogamy (i.e., marrying out of the clan) 
exists, we necessarily have two or more totem clans existing 
side by side ; generally there are many different totem clans 
living together. In some clans the children are of their 
mother’s totem ; thus, if the father is a Wolf and the mother 
is a Bear, the children will be Bears. In other clans children 
are of the father’s totem ; thus, if the father is a Raven and 
the mother a Dog, the children will be Ravens. 
