Animatism

Animatism, not to be confused with animism, is the belief in a supernatural power that animates all living things in an impersonal sense. It is therefore not individualized or specialized in terms of a particular object, such as one finds in animism, but is a rather more generalized belief in an invisible, powerfully impersonal energy that is everywhere. Of course, it is possible that some individuals might tap into this power and consequently be able to manipulate it better than others.

In some African societies, as among the Asante of Ghana, it is thought that the king carries with him the ability to change the nature of society by how he handles his office. In fact, if he endangers the order of the universe by violating ...