Meaning of the
word totem
A totem is by
definition is a spirit being, sacred
object or symbol that serves as an
emblem(symbolic objects) of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage
of tribe.
In most cases an
animal or animal body part is used, for example Shumba (lion) or gumbo (leg)..
In most cases the characteristics of that animal is praised on the totem and
there are said to be the characteristics possessed by the people identified by
that totem. So you will find that totem is beyond just one name of animal but a
list of the characteristics of the said animal that are true in the animal and
in the people identified with the same name. These characteristics will not be
just said in a disorderly manner, but there are well organized in a poetic and rhythmic
song like way that is enticing to the ear and the heart. Although it is a the
duty of each and every person in a tribe to know how to recite his totem, there
are special people in every tribe who takes a step ahead of everyone else to
learn to recite their totem in a way far better and sweeter than everyone else.
Uses of totem
One of the proofs that
Africa is rhythmic is in the reciting of totems as they clap hands accompanied
by the ululating ladies. This is not just a form of identifying themselves but
this is a way of greeting that is accompanied by worshipping of the ancestors
who takes care of the African child. The clapping of hands is a sign of respect
among the present and to the dead. So is the ululating directed to the dead as
sign of appreciating job well done in taking care of the living? A totem
represents who an African is, so much that you cannot afford to be standing or
just walking around and recite a totem as it calls to the spirituality of an
African.
The difference in
greeting using the totem is that all other greetings asks your present
state(healthy and state of mind etc.) while when one greets you using a totem
he asks of your state of harmony with those that have departed.
This is why totem
reciting is used in greeting as well as invoking the spirits for protection,
direction and consultation.
Identification in
totems
Believing in the Jesus
to some extend means you have been given a new identity. For one to receive a
new identity it means he has to reject his old identity to acquire new one.
This is the most difficult part of Christianity for an African person as an
African persons relationships continue even after the grave. The connection
with the dead as very much of an African identity that he has to give up on
order to acquire the new Christian identity. This is because in Christianity the
one who is dead or who has passed on never stops playing part in our daily lies
especially in an advisory or superior position as in the African perspective.
The Christianity belief is that the one who is dead knows nothing under the sun
as he/she will be in a state of resting in another world.
Totems connects us
with everyone in our tribe whether dead or live with special emphasis given to
the dead as their considered to have gained more wisdom by getting into the
spiritual world and also mingling with those that departed a very long time ago
who in turn have gained much wisdom by their proximity to God.
The mentioning of totems
invokes the authority and power that was gained along the lines of ancestors. This
is in direct opposite to the Christian confession that Jesus is the way the
truth and the life. The reciting and response to a totem is in itself a
confession in faith and belief in the powers that are found in the ancestors or
particular of the totem.
A look at few totems
will reveal that sometimes even the skin complexion is attributed to the god of
the tribe. Like those who belong to the dziva( Animals from the river) would
pride themselves in the skin texture in line with cleanliness. While on the
other and those of the lion tribe would pride themselves in hunting and
rulership . Attributes that distinguishes a lion from all the other animals.
This is an indication of the deep connection brought about by this as the totem
becomes more than just an identity to a person but also determines the
characteristics and to an extent features in a person can be traced to the
animal of the said totem. As people constantly think in a certain way that’s how
demons (principalities) are attracted to come and take charge of the affairs of
men. It is believed in some totems that the ladies find it difficult to get
married and end up being ladies of the night. The presence of that thought in a
certain group of people for a long time invites principalities to take charge
to the extent that it will not be a thought alone that forms the character but
it will be backed by invited and welcomed demons.
This however can be
argued that before they chose totems they would see the characteristics and
features in a person and assign the totem that is in line with the that persons
ways.
Identification in Christianity
Christianity makes one
a new being, in terms of character and subsequently in identification. Where
your identity was more aligned to the people who has the same totem with you,
when you accept Christianity the old will be gone and you will resemble the
Lord Jesus. This identification change is in line with Christ taking over to
the extent that Paul would say, it is no longer I that lives but Christ lives
through me. The main difference between Christianity and ancestral worship is
that Christianity is more to do with you as a single person and decision you
make while totems always tie you to your family, clan or tribe.
The accepted behavioral
patterns in a people with a certain totem invites the control of demons, meaning
the character is no more of just a genetic or learnt behavior but backed by
demons.
It is up to one to
decide to remain attached to a totem or to free yourself completely as reciting
the totem might be invoking the principalities associated by your totem.
