Taboo, Tabu or Tapu

An Encyclopaedia of Occultism (1920)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. A Polynesian word meaning “prohibited" and signifying a prohibition enforced by religious or magical power, which has come to be applied to similar usages among savage peoples all over the world. Taboo, or prohibition is enforced in the cases of sacred things and unclean things. In the first instance, the taboo is placed on the object because of the possession by it of inherent mysterious power. But, taboo may be imposed by a chief or priest. It aims at the protection of important individuals; the safeguarding of the weak, women, children and slaves from the magical influence of more highly-placed Taigheirm individuals; against danger incurred by handling or coming in contact with corpses; or eating certain foods; and the securing of human beings against the power of supernatural agencies, or the depredations of thieves. Taboo may also be sanctioned by social use or instinct. The violation of a taboo makes the offender himself taboo, for it is characteristic of the taboo that it is transmissible, but can be thrown off by magical or purificatory ceremonies. It may last for a short period, or be imposed in perpetuity. It may be said, generally speaking, that the practice of taboo was instituted through human instinct for human convenience. This applies of course merely to the most simple type of taboo. It is, for example, forbidden to reap or steal the patch of corn dedicated to an agricultural deity, for the simple reason that his wrath would be incurred by so doing. Similarly it is taboo to devour the flesh of the totem animal of the tribe, except in special circumstances with the object of achieving communion with him. It is taboo to interfere in any manner with the affairs of the shamans or medicine-men: this again is a type of the imposed taboo for the convenience of a certain caste. It is prohibited to marry a woman of the same totem as oneself, as all the members of a totemic band are supposed to be consanguineous, and such a union might incur the wrath of the patron deity. A very strict taboo is put upon the beholding of certain ritual instruments belonging to some barbarian tribes, but this only applies to women and uninitiated men: the reason for such taboo would be that it was considered degradation for women to behold sacred implements. Taboo, if it does not spring directly from the system known as totemism, was strongly influenced by it-that is, many intricate taboos arose from the totemic system. We have also the taboo of the sorcerer, which in effect is merely a spell placed upon a certain object, which makes it become useless to others. Taboo, or its remains, is still to be found in strong force even in the most civilised communities, and from its use the feeling of reverence for ancient institutions and those who represent them is undoubtedly derived.