![[Animism.jpg]] Animism is the belief that all things – animals, plants, objects, and even natural phenomena – have a spirit or soul. - It’s one of the oldest forms of religion, found in cultures worldwide, from the [[Shinto]] practices in Japan to many Indigenous traditions in Africa, the Americas, and Australia. - For animists, the world is alive and interconnected, with spirits residing in rivers, mountains, trees, and even everyday items. - Some animist cultures hold ceremonies to apologise to the spirits of animals they hunt, showing respect for the life taken. - The term *animism* comes from the Latin *anima*, meaning "soul" or "breath," and was first coined by anthropologist [[Edward Tylor]] in [[1871]]. - Though often associated with ancient or Indigenous traditions, traces of animistic thought appear in modern life – like naming cars or feeling attached to objects we "personify." *** Created: [[2024-12-13]]