Totemism

Totemism is like having your very own special animal buddy that you and your whole family, or even your whole group of friends, all love and protect together.

Let's say your special animal buddy is a bear. Whenever you see a bear, or even a picture of a bear, you feel happy and excited because it reminds you of your special animal buddy. Everyone in your family or group of friends has their own special animal buddy too.

You might even have pictures or symbols of your animal buddy on your clothes or around your home. When you want to feel strong or brave, you might even try to act like your animal buddy. For example, if your animal buddy is a tiger, you might try to walk like a tiger or roar like one too!

In some cultures, people believe that their animal buddies are like magical protectors. They believe that their animal buddies can help them stay safe and healthy, or even to have good luck.

So, totemism is basically the practice of having a special animal buddy that you and your community love, protect, and sometimes even worship because of the special connection you feel with that animal.