Shamanism
An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture [2 volumes]
By: Mariko Namba Walter, Eva Jane Neumann Fridman
A guide to worldwide shamanism and shamanistic practices, emphasizing historical and current cultural adaptations. This two-volume reference is the first international survey of shamanistic beliefs from prehistory to the present day. In nearly 200 detailed, readable entries, leading ethnographers, psychologists, archaeologists, historians, and scholars of religion and folk literature explain the general principles of shamanism as well as the details of widely varied practices. What is it like to be a shaman? Entries describe, region by region, the traits, such as sicknesses and dreams, that mark a person as a shaman, as well as the training undertaken by initiates. They detail the costumes, music, rituals, artifacts, and drugs that shamans use to achieve altered states of consciousness, communicate with spirits, travel in the spirit world, and retrieve souls. Unlike most Western books on shamanism, which focus narrowly on the individual's experience of healing and trance, Shamanism also examines the function of shamanism in society from social, political, and historical perspectives and identifies the ancient, continuous thread that connects shamanistic beliefs and rituals across cultures and millennia.
AI Overview
The book "Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture" edited by Mariko Namba Walter and Eva Jane Neumann Fridman is a comprehensive and landmark work that explores the rich and diverse aspects of shamanism across cultures. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Cultural Diversity: The book emphasizes the broad cultural interest in shamanism, highlighting its diverse practices and beliefs from cultures around the world.
- Healing and Spirituality: It delves into the connection between shamanism and healing, as well as the extraordinary spiritual experiences that shape one's sense of self and the world.
- Ethnographic Perspectives: The editors have invited ethnographic specialists to describe their firsthand field studies, providing a range of important perspectives on shamanism.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches: The book includes creative commentaries on the relationship of shamanic experience to domains such as dreams, drama, art, music, clothing, and governance.
Plot Summary
The book does not have a traditional narrative plot but rather serves as an encyclopedia that assembles evidence from various cultures to present the rich diversity of shamanic practices and beliefs. It covers a wide range of topics, including the historical and current cultural adaptations of shamanism, its connection to healing, and the spiritual adventures that define shamanic experiences.
Critical Reception
While specific reviews of the book are not provided in the search results, the description suggests that it is a highly regarded work in the field of shamanic studies. The editors' specialization in the study of Central Asia and their comprehensive approach to addressing the broad cultural interest in shamanism likely contribute to its positive reception among scholars and general readers alike.
Additional Insights
- Historical Context: The book likely draws on historical texts and field studies to provide a nuanced understanding of shamanic practices, including the Avesta, which contains remnants of a vocabulary pointing to shamanistic phenomena.
- Cross-Cultural Perspective: The work likely reviews the origins of the concept of the shaman and the principal sources of controversy regarding the existence and nature of shamanism, providing a cross-cultural perspective on these issues.
Overall, "Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture" by Mariko Namba Walter and Eva Jane Neumann Fridman is a seminal work that offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of shamanism, making it a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.