Primal Play: Heightening the Sensesīecause being primitive means using one’s most carnal and basic instincts, this kink is often centred around the senses. While most primal individuals do identify as certain animals, they don’t use leashes or collars, and there isn’t one dominant and one submissive partner. It’s also important to note that being primal is not the same as pet play. In this way, it could also include mating rituals, like that experienced by wolves or bears.įor that reason, primal play is oftentimes rough, which means that unhindering trust and communication is imperative between partners. When one partner is primal, it often ties in with dominant and submissive roles, and a scene can include one lover being the hunter and the other, the prey. This kink is not exclusive to any gender or sexual orientation, and thus anyone can identify as being primal. Primal is what many of us call ‘animalistic’ and can be characterised by intense sexual experiences. In other words, it’s about connecting with one’s most primitive, basic, and animalistic self, and is centred around raw feelings, actions, and natural impulses. Primal, in the BDSM world, is when someone enjoys mimicking an animal or animals that they identify with during sexual activity. This definition, when it comes to BDSM, isn’t far off, and already one can gather what it may mean… In the Realm of BDSM, What Does Primal Mean? In this way, it refers to someone seeing themselves or others as the most basic and important part. In Latin, the word ‘primus’ is used which essentially means ‘first’. It’s often used as a means to talk about animals during hunting or evolutionary development. To be primal is connected to primal urges, such as protecting oneself or others from harm.