A totem is a natural object or animal believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and to be emblematic of the group's identity, often serving as a focal point for ritual and social cohesion.

A totem is a natural object, animal, or plant that serves as a symbolic emblem for a social group, such as a clan or tribe. It represents the collective identity, unity, and social solidarity of the group, often serving as a focal point for rituals and social cohesion within the society.

The study of shamanism is complicated by the immense diversity of practices, beliefs, and roles associated with shamans across different cultures. Because shamanism is not a single, monolithic religion but rather a set of varied spiritual traditions, scholars often struggle to find a universal definition that captures the nuances of these practices while accounting for the significant regional and cultural variations observed globally.

Shamanism is a religious phenomenon found in many traditional societies. A defining, near-universal feature is the shaman's role as an intermediary between the human world and the spirit world. Through altered states of consciousness, the shaman engages in direct communication or interaction with spirits to perform healing, divination, or guidance for the community.

A diviner is a person who practices divination, seeking to interpret the unknown or future through supernatural means. In many anthropological contexts, the term 'shaman' is used to describe a spiritual intermediary who communicates with the spirit world to heal, divine, or influence events. While shamanism refers to the practice itself, it is frequently associated with the role of the diviner in various cultural traditions.

The 'costly signaling' theory of religion suggests that rituals serve as honest signals of group commitment. By requiring participants to engage in behaviors that are difficult, time-consuming, or painful—and thus 'too costly to fake'—rituals effectively filter out free-riders and strengthen the bonds of trust and cooperation among group members.

In many anthropological contexts, sorcery is distinguished from witchcraft as a form of magic involving the use of physical materials and learned techniques. While the term is often used to describe specific practices, its neutrality is debated, as it is frequently associated with harmful intent in various cultural belief systems.

In anthropological and sociological terms, a 'cult' is often defined as a religious group that exists outside the mainstream or dominant religious traditions of a society. While the term can carry negative connotations in popular media, in academic discourse, it refers to a specific type of religious organization or movement.

In anthropological and sociological studies of religion, a cult refers to a religious group that exists outside the mainstream traditions of a society. These groups are often characterized by intense devotion to a leader or a specific, non-traditional set of beliefs.

In anthropology, a fetish is an object believed to have inherent magical or spiritual power. These objects are often treated with specific ritual care or taboos, as the possessor believes the object can influence events or provide protection and success in daily life.