Émile Durkheim's Study of Totemism and Community

Émile Durkheim, a foundational figure in sociology, conducted extensive research into the nature and function of religion in society. His landmark work, "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life," published in 1912, delves into what he considered the most basic or 'elementary' forms of religious belief and practice to understand the fundamental aspects of religion in all societies.

Totemism as an Elementary Form

Durkheim focused on totemism as a key example of an elementary form of religion. He believed that by studying societies with seemingly simpler forms of religious organization, he could uncover the core social functions and origins of religion itself. Totemism, often found in tribal societies, involves a system where a group or clan identifies with a particular animal, plant, or natural object – the totem – which is treated with sacred respect and reverence.

The Community Examined by Durkheim

For his detailed examination of totemism, Durkheim primarily drew upon ethnographic studies of a specific community. He analyzed the religious practices and beliefs of the Australian Arunta (also known as Arrernte) people. He chose this community because he believed their social structure and religious practices represented a very early or elementary stage of social and religious development, making them ideal for studying the origins of religion.

Durkheim's analysis of the Australian Arunta focused on:

• The distinction between the sacred and the profane.
• The role of rituals and ceremonies, such as corroborees, in reinforcing social bonds and generating 'collective effervescence'.
• How the totem served as a symbol not just of the sacred object itself, but ultimately of the clan and the society.
• His theory that worshipping the totem is, in effect, society worshipping itself, highlighting the social function of religion in creating solidarity and collective consciousness.

Conclusion on Durkheim's Study

Durkheim's study of totemism among the Australian Arunta led him to conclude that religion is fundamentally a social phenomenon. It arises from collective life and serves to unite individuals into a moral community. The reverence for the totem among the Arunta, in his view, was a symbolic reverence for the social group and its shared identity.

Therefore, the community in which Durkheim examined Totemism was the Australian Arunta.

Revision Table: Durkheim's Study Key Points

Additional Information: Elementary Forms and Social Function

Durkheim's concept of 'elementary forms' refers to what he saw as the simplest, most basic elements of religious life found in what were then considered 'primitive' societies. By studying these forms, he aimed to uncover the universal functions of religion in any society, regardless of its complexity.

The social function of religion, according to Durkheim, is crucial. He argued that religious rituals and beliefs create a sense of shared identity and purpose among members of a group. The collective worship of sacred symbols, like the totem among the Australian Arunta, generates powerful feelings of unity and belonging, which he termed 'collective effervescence'. This shared emotional experience strengthens social bonds and reinforces the collective conscience – the shared beliefs, morals, and attitudes that unify a society.

While later anthropologists and sociologists have offered critiques and alternative interpretations of totemism and Durkheim's specific conclusions about the Arunta, his work remains a foundational text in the sociology of religion and a classic example of using ethnographic data to develop sociological theory.