What did the Birhor believe would happen if a clan broke a taboo involving its totem?

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totem fish mask — Totemism Totem fish mask from the Orokolo Bay area of New Guinea. Painted bark cloth over rattan frame with fringe of dried grass. Height 1.63 m.

The Birhor people believe that if a member of a clan commits an offense against their totem by breaching a taboo—such as killing, eating, or destroying it—the consequence will be a corresponding decrease in the size of the clan.1

Because the Birhor regard their totems as if they were human members of the group, they maintain strict prohibitions regarding these relationships. This belief underscores the vital, interconnected bond the Birhor perceive between their clans and their respective totems.1