THERIOMORPHISM

Theriomorphism: translation

Inanimistcontexts in which the ability totransformis understood to be a defining characteristic of persons, or specifically of powerful persons, the ability of some humans to transform themselves into animal forms or to imagine themselves asanimals(so as to understand and anticipate their actions and intentions) may be important both to shamans and tohunters. Brian Morris (2000) discusses this as an aspect of human–animal relationships in Malawi inSouthern Africa.David Lewis-WilliamsandThomasDowsondiscuss the interpretation ofrock artdepictions of some therianthropes, part-human and part-animal beings, as shamanic.

See alsoShape-Shifting.