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Why are some totems treated as relatives or protectors?

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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.

In totemism, totems are often treated as relatives or protectors because they are viewed as companions or spirit-beings that share a mystical, genealogical, or life-defining bond with an individual or a social group.12

Reasons for Kinship and Protection

Shared Identity and Origin: Many groups believe they share a common progenitor with their totem, viewing the animal or natural object as a relative. For example, the Ojibwa term ototeman literally translates to "one’s brother-sister kin," reflecting a perceived blood relationship.132
Mutual Bond of Fate: In individual totemism, a person and their totem may share an "alter ego" relationship, where they are linked in life and fate. Injury or death to one is believed to affect the other, fostering an intimate connection of mutual protection.4
Spiritual Assistance: Totems are often credited with superhuman powers. They may act as helpers or guardians, such as the bala or "spirit companion" among the Wiradjuri, which guards the individual and provides information or assistance during trances.5
Symbolic Assimilation: Through rituals and taboos—such as prohibitions against killing or eating the totem—individuals demonstrate respect and veneration, reinforcing the totem's role as a protector of the group’s social and spiritual integrity.153