In totemistic societies, every being has its own sound or song. Its timbre and rhythm embody the mystic substance of its owner.
Rhythm is seen as the clue to the nature and state of an object. For example, a voice, can be identified as that of a particular human being. It can even indicate his state of mind. In the same way, striking a tree or a stone can produce a sound which tells both the nature and condition of theme object.
Stones, plants and animals are seen as animate in exactly the same way as man. They are less powerful, however, because they have only one rhythm. Man, having the power to imitate non-human rhythms and sound-colours, can produce those as well as his own. He can also imitate sounds artificially, by making musical instruments.
With these abilities comes the potential for enormous power. This is because anyone who can make the specific sound of an object possesses the energy with which that object is charged.
