Shamanism
Shamanism
Shamanism (/ˈʃɑːmən/ SHAH-men or /ˈʃeɪmən/ SHAY-mən) is a religious practice that involves a practitioner, a shaman, who is believed to interact with a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct these spirits or spiritual energies into the physical world, for healing or some other purpose.
Etymology
The term "shamanism" was first applied by Western anthropologists as outside observers of the ancient religion of the Turks and Mongols, as well as those of the neighboring Tungusic and Sami. It has since been applied to similar phenomena elsewhere in the world, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The word "shaman" comes from the Evenki word "šamán," most likely from the southwestern dialect spoken by the Sym Evenki peoples.
Related Terms
- Animism: The belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.
- Totemism: A belief in totemic spirits, often animals or other natural phenomena.
- Spiritualism: A belief in the ability to communicate with spirits.
- Divination: The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
- Healing: The process of the restoration of health from an unbalanced, diseased, damaged or unvitalized organism.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Shamanism
- Wikipedia's article - Shamanism
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