num_pages: 248
description: How have human cultures engaged with and thought about animals plants rocks clouds and other elements in their natural surroundings? Do animals and other natural objects have a spirit or soul? What is their relationship to humans? In this new study Graham Harvey explores current and past animistic beliefs and practices of Native Americans Maori Aboriginal Australians and eco-pagans. He considers the varieties of animism found in these cultures as well as their shared desire to live respectfully within larger natural communities. Drawing on his extensive casework Harvey also considers the linguistic performative ecological and activist implications of these different animisms.
language: English
title: Animism: Respecting the Living World
publisher: Columbia University Press