A shaman is a tribal healer who can act as a medium between the visible world and the spiritual world. They are normally singled out by divine entities to receive ecstatic powers for dealing with spiritual activities. Shamans generally serve as a guides and links to the souls of the dead. In other contexts, they are also referred to as healers, intercessors and counselors to the community. Below is a comprehensive analysis on the characteristics and practices of the shamans and how they differ from other religious specialists.
It is imperative to note that there are two types of Shamans. The first one is the travelling shaman who basically goes into the spiritual world in his trance. Subsequently, there is the possession shaman who draws a god’s to closer to them. One of the main characteristics of a shaman is that for them to control the spirit world and function effectively, they must enter a state of trance. Specific methods for entering the state of consciousness can be used depending on the shaman in question. The most common methods used are ritual dancing with drum music and also ingesting hallucinogenic drugs such as the agaric mushroom which in return facilitates the visions and state of consciousness ( Ellwood & McGraw, 2016 ). Other techniques such as visualization, dream work and self-hypnosis can also be used. These enable a shaman to travel out of their bodies into the spirit realm to work for healing and guidance.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Ellwood & McGraw (2016) note that in some communities, blind girls from six to eight years of age are used as apprentices for older shamanists. They undergo tough training procedures so that they can be initiated into the practice. These apprentices are required to learn on the techniques of trance and divination as well as cold water cleansing. During their initiation, the novice wear white robes which are termed as death dresses. Most shamans prepare for prayers by fasting and meditating on high places and cliffs. During the prayer activities, the Altaic shaman in Siberia often wears brown leather decorations with feathers ( Ellwood & McGraw, 2016 ). They also make a dramatic entrance by sitting across a bench covered with horsehide. The entrance is followed by a rhythmical beating a drum for several hours.
The shamans differ from other religious specialist such as priests and Imams in that they normally work with spirits, which are often related to nature, plants and creation ( Ellwood & McGraw, 2016 ). On the other hand, a priest only works with one spirit and the concept of one God. Another difference is that shamans work with the people and for the people, often comprising of tribes or small communities. Conversely, religious leaders such as priests and Imams work for a hierarchy, often a particular religious affiliation. Religious leaders such as priests customarily acquire their roles through heredity, choice or apprenticeship. On the other hand, for a shaman to start his career, he must have passed through a powerful spiritual ordeal of selection and testing. Shamans must undergo psychic and physical changes upon their altered states of consciousness. They have a habit of being dramatic in their performances and always appear semi-spontaneous, which contradicts with how priests appear and pray.
Shamans play many significant roles in the native societies. They are mystics, doctors, dancers, diagnosticians and also people of knowledge in a particular tribe. One of the main purposes for obtaining their knowledge is to use it to heal the bodies and souls of their people in the community.
References
Ellwood, R. S., & McGraw, B. A. (2016). Many peoples, many faiths: Women and men in the world religions .
