Animism

“...there is an everyday, taken-for-granted obviousness about animism. How could this not be the case when that which is alive is the rock you are holding or standing on, the animal you are hunting, the cloud that waters the corn you are tending, or the tree you are sheltering beneath?”

Graham Harvey’s interest in animism arose while researching his previous book, Listening People, Speaking Earth. In this one, he delves into the nature of animism (excuse the pun); historical examples; and the ethical dilemmas of being an animist in today’s world.

The first part of this book is spent attempting to define ‘animism’. The previously used term of ‘a belief in spirits’ was thrown aside, and new definitions were introduced. According to Graham Harvey, “Animists are people who recognise that the world is full of persons, only some of whom are human, and that life is always lived in relationship with others.” He also states “...not all animists agree that everything that exists is alive or personal.” But there does seem to be a consensus that Animism is directly linked with indigenous and environmental spiritualities, and is about “how to be a good person in respectful relationships with other persons.”

After explaining his reasons for writing the book, the remaining part of this first section is an academic treatise that compares ‘primitive’ animism with anthropomorphism, panpsychism and epistemology. The rest of the book looks at interesting case studies - the seasonal stories of the Ojibwe tribes of North America; Maori pendants; expressions of The Dreaming in Alice Springs; Eco-Paganism and activism - and then he explores the implications and ramifications of animism.

In these 248 pages (of fairly small print) Harvey also manages to explore the role of shamans, deities, totems and cannibals in animist cultures and communities. Even though Animism is fairly heavy reading, with most of it being textbook style, humour is slipped in occasionally to keep you turning the pages. There’s many quirky headings such as “Gods, Fairies and Hedgehogs” and “Animals Are People Too”. It’s also a philosophical book, and it makes you think about the broad range of topics that can be covered under the term ‘Paganism’, and the way in which today’s Paganism is far removed from its roots.

Along with Sir James Frazer’s The Golden Bough, this is essential reading for those who are interested in anthropology and the source of Pagan principles and practices. In this book, we get to see animism as a vitally present way of life – a way of being that is life-affirming and respectful, and in Harvey’s own words, animism does this “with grace and beauty.”


Author: Graham Harvey
Published by: Wakefield Press, 2005
ISBN: 1-86254-678-9