Synopses & Reviews
Shamanism is one of the earliest and farthest-reaching magical and religious traditions, vestiges of which still underlie the major religious faiths of the modern world. The function of the shaman is to show his or her people the unseen powers behind the mere appearances of nature, as experienced through intuition, in trance states, or during ecstatic mystical visions. Shamans possess healing powers, communicate with the dead and the world beyond, and influence the weather and movements of hunting animals. The psychological exaltation of shamanism trance states is similar to the ecstasies of Yogis, Christian mystics and dervishes. Shamanism: An Introduction traces the development of shamanism in its many fascinating global manifestations. Looking at shamanic practices from Siberia to China and beyond, it provides an accessible guide to one of the world's most ancient, notorious and frequently misrepresented spiritual traditions. Placing special emphasis on the climate, geographic and cultural pressures under which shanic customs arose and continue to be observed, Margaret Stutley summarizes and clearly explains the logic of a faith whose fantastical elements hold a special place in popular imagination.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [120]-126) and index.
Synopsis
Shamanism traces the history, ideology and rites of the shamans' fascinating belief-system in its many global manifestations. Looking at the forms and functions of shamanic practices from Siberia to China and beyond, it provides an authoritative and accessible guide to some of the most notorious and most frequently misrepresented aspects of shamanism. Answers questions such as how shamans' dual souls roam the world of the dead in search of lost souls and why the Yukaghir people wear grandfather amulets made of the flesh and bones of dead relatives.
Placing particular emphasis on the climatic, geographic, and cultural pressures under which shamanic traditions arose, Shaminism summarizes and clearly explains the logic of a faith whose fantastical elements have a special place in popular imagination.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Male and female shamans -- Trance, ecstasy and possession -- Shamans' paraphernalia -- Deities and spirits -- The shaman's costume -- Divination and healing -- Soul, ancestor cults and death -- Images and idols -- Were-animals.