Animism: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Animism means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study (history)

Animism refers to one of the various systems of belief and worship that once existed in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Animatism is the belief which “endows inanimate and material objects with quasi-human consciousness and emotions and sometimes with a superhuman power and volition which suggest worship.” Animatism at a higher state becomes animism. The Nīlamata indicates the existence of such a belief. The rivers, the lakes, the mountains and the numerous sacred places are regarded as destroyers of sins. The earth, the water, the sky, the fire, the air, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the day, the month, the year, all are invoked like divinities. Even the weapons, the mount, the seat, the umbrella, the flag and the musical instrument are mentioned as objects of worship. Almost half of the Purāṇa deals with the worship of inanimate objects endowed with spirit or soul.

Source: Suomen Antropologi: Sacred Trees among the Tamil people of South India

Animism prevailed in ancient Southern India.—The communities of the Dravidians in the South were split into small clans consisting of agricultural and pastoral units. Their religion was a kind of Animism, the belief in good and bad spirits in everything that exists in nature, and in village deities who were mostly female.

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context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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