Shamanism, the worship of elemental spirits or of the souls of the dead, is best known among the Turanian peoples of Asia, America, and Australia. By a ism and totem is meant an animal or a Fetishism. Taboo is found chiefly among Polynesians, and denotes prohibition of certain things or localities for common use because belonging to spirits. It has an important influence upon social relations. Fetishism, which is confined to Africa, is religious veneration of an object regarded as the home of spirits.
Shamanism has many fetishistic elements.
Upon ethical conceptions these religions have no influence. Numerous remains are found in Christianity of the older heathenism, and they are classed under the name of superstitions. This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College. Last updated on June 13, 2000.