Page 114 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought

notes many people are gathered at the same time and the thought and momentum of people inflates and
excites the thoughts and momentum of all the people gathered there. Therefore, the power of people
becomes his subsidiary and the power of group gets priority. The individual bow in front of this
group power and the feeling of fear, faith and devotion for the group grows in his mind by getting
impressed by its power. He considers this group as best or great than ordinary. Literally this group
or society becomes the symbol of religious worship.
A confusion still lefts in mind in this matter. And it is that, what is the ‘Actual’ basis to the rise of
this perception of sanctity. In the answer of that Durkhim’s statement is, the feeling to discriminate
the sacred and simple things arose on the basis of Totemism. So Totemism is the first level of all the
religions. It became possible because of the nature of Totemism because Totamvad is that totality of
moral duty and fundamental believes by which a holy and the supernatural relations get established
among animals, plants, and other natural things. This Totamvad has the following qualities:
a. With Totam, all the members of same clan treat many relations as esoteric, supernatural
and sacred.
b. It is believed on the basis of this esoteric and supernatural relations is Totam, that Totam
possesses that power which protects that group, warns to the members and predicts.
c. There is a sense of special fear, devotion, faith and respect. To kill, eat and to hurt is completely
prohibited and sorrow is expressed on his death. Totem, its skin and all the things related
with it are considered very sacred. Skin of Totam used to be hold on the special occasions,
tattoos are made and kept and the drawings of these tattoos are oftenly done by everyone.
And at another side some special moral duties are getting promoted.
d. The feeling of fear, devotion and respect towards Totam, is not depends on which is Totemic
and how is it because Totam is all but a small harmlessly plant or cattle. As per the opinion of
Durkhim, Totam is the symbol of collective representation and origin of Totam is collectively
to pay tribute towards the society. This tribute gives birth to the feeling of purity and that
binds all the members of Totam group in a moral relation. This is the reason all the members
of Totam group consider themselves as brother and sisters and never marry to each other.

self assessment

fill in the blanks—
1. In confirmation of this principle, Shri Durkhim has represented the deep study of Arunta
tribe of ……………
2. The……………. Of festivals and celebrations depends on the presence of many people.
3. Therefore Totemism is the………….. level of all the religions.
By mentioning all the qualities of Totamvad, Durkhim reaches to this result that the presence of all
the above factors are must in the origin of any religion. Because of this it can be definitely said that
Totamvad is the primary face of all the religion because Totam is the symbol of collective representation
of moral life.This way the main source of religion is Society itself. In more specific terms, God is the
symbolic representation of society.
So it is clear that religion is not related with any person but it collective life. Here the difference between
magic and religion gets clear. Magic also have many faith and rituals like religion but basically magic
is personal. Magic is related with individuals. Because of that magic do not joint all the people who
trust on it. Against that religion do not relate to any individual, its basis is society itself. That is why
religion unites all those people who trust on it into a moral community. Durkhim’s view is that any
definition of religion should be based on this quality of religion and that is why according to you the

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