animatism

Animatism is an anthropological term for a belief in a generalized, impersonal power that pervades the world and can be accessed, accumulated, or wielded by individuals, communities, objects, and places. Unlike animism, which posits personal spirits inhabiting phenomena, animatism refers to a diffuse life force that is not personified.

Origin and usage: The term was introduced in early 20th-century anthropology by R. R. Marett to describe the concept of mana and other impersonal powers in Melanesian and Polynesian contexts. Animatism was used to explain how rituals, charms, and rites could enable people to command influence or success without invoking specific gods or spirits.

Characteristics: Power is seen as transferable and shareable; it can be contained in objects (charms, amulets), personages, places, or gestures, and exerted through ritual acts or moral conduct. Individuals or leaders may be thought to wield or channel this power, but it is not a personal deity.

Criticism and legacy: The animatism/animism distinction has been criticized as an oversimplification of belief systems that often blend personified spirits and impersonal forces. Contemporary anthropology emphasizes variability and context, viewing mana-like concepts as part of broader cosmologies rather than a single category.