According to Urban Dictionary, the word totem means “An item that only you know of that helps you determine whether you are in the dream world or in reality. Only you should know it’s characteristics, anybody else knowing would defeat the purpose.” Perhaps this is the reason that so many festival goers choose to have a totem to assemble their Squad.

From August 11- August 14, thousands of festies gathered on Salmo River Ranch in British Columbia, Canada. Despite the smoke from the wildfires, attendees chose to dance their weekend away to celebrate the 20 years that Shambhala has been running. During our stay in Salmo, we noticed that the level of creativity was abundant in costumes and in totems. We gathered some of the best and most awesome totems in the crowd below. Check it out!

13. Nothing Says Happy Like Being at Shambhala

Good vibes, good food, and good music is all you need to enjoy yourself at Shambhala Music Festival. And everywhere you turn you find happy and inviting people. Its no question why Mr. Happy Shambs could be found dancing his way thorough the crowds over the weekend.

12. Shambhala is 420 Friendly

Its nice to know that our friends across the border feel good about marijuana. And enough to don their totem in the name of all things weed.

11. Lure Friends In With Candy

Big shout out to this girl who was rocking out with her sign, willing to make new friends and pass out gum to those needing it. Did we mention she had a full supply of multiple types of gum ready for distribution? Clutch.

10. Nothing Says Festing Like Jersey Shore

RIP Angelina. Enough said.

9. Friendly Faces

Lure your best friends in by posting an extra large picture of their most beautiful face to a stick. Let us know how many new friends you make!

8. Get Political

Enough of everyone discrediting the most important political issue out there…. is ranch illegal somewhere?! If so, its time to legalize it.

7. Food Or Cartoons?

Its a little unclear whether this person is letting the crowds know that they love a tasty chowder… or if they’re a fan of the cartoon. Either way, we know they fucking love it.

6. And the newly created signs once Shambhala Music Festival was declared cancelled on Sunday, and then the decision was reversed.

Those shambha-pranksters!

5. When You Want to Get Sexual With the Overturned Decision

4. Luckily, the Smokey Park Rangers were there Sunday to keep everything in order.

Or wait a second… Smokey looks like hes about light a joint. Can he smoke on the job?

3. When You Need The Bass Gods To Rock You Out

And it was sent. Every damn day.

2. Let Them Know You Have the Healthy Kind of Hugs

Who knew hugs could be gluten free?

And the number one best totem found at Shambhala Music Festival was this one…

Because this girl is jobless, but she must have had one hell of a time heading from Shambhala to Eclipse.

Need more pictures to relive the good times at Shambs? Check out our full album HERE.