A spiritual practice in which a practitioner, the shaman, enters an altered state of consciousness, typically trance induced by rhythmic drumming, ritual performance or hallucinogens, in order to interact directly with a spirit world on behalf of their community, most often for healing, divination or guidance.
Facts
Typical RegionSourced to the subject's own accountFirst documented among the indigenous peoples of Siberia, Mongolia and far northern Europe, the source of the term itself (from Tungusic languages, possibly the Evenki word for a spiritual practitioner); comparable roles are documented far more widely, among indigenous peoples across the Americas and Asia, though scholars debate how much a single cross-cultural category should cover. 1 Documented YearSourced to the subject's own accountThe year Dutch statesman Nicolaes Witsen published Noord en Oost Tartarye, which brought the Tungusic term to Western European scholarly attention after his travels among Siberian peoples. Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
A shaman's work in mediating between community and spirit world routinely includes acts of divination as one of its central purposes, alongside healing and guidance.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Shamanism
WikipediaOpening definition, descriptionQuote, Opening definition, description
Shamanism is a spiritual practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance.
1. Wikipedia: Shamanism
WikipediaEtymology and origins section, typical regionQuote, Etymology and origins section, typical region
The practice originates from Mongolia and the indigenous peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia. The term itself derives from Tungusic languages.
1. Wikipedia: Shamanism
WikipediaCentral practice section, divination linkQuote, Central practice section, divination link
Their fundamental purpose involves communicating with spirits on behalf of their communities to facilitate healing, divination, and guidance.
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