2007-01-16 23:06:32 · 5 answers · asked by sunreys 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
In most cultures a Shaman is also known as a "medicine wo/man". They commune with spirits, and are the travelers of all the worlds, being able to go back and forth between this one and the spirit world. They perform healing work based on the information they get from their helper spirits.
Today it's become more a new age term for a lot of people in the US, a lot of people who follow forms of spiritual healing call themselves Shamans.
2007-01-16 23:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by AB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shamanism refers to a range of traditional beliefs and practices similar to Animism that claim the ability to diagnose and cure human suffering and, in some societies, the ability to cause suffering. This is believed to be accomplished by traversing the axis mundi and forming a special relationship with, or gaining control over, spirits. Shamans have been credited with the ability to control the weather, divination, the interpretation of dreams, astral projection, and traveling to upper and lower worlds. Shamanistic traditions have existed throughout the world since prehistoric times.
Some anthropologists and religion scholars define a shaman as an intermediary between the natural and spiritual world, who travels between worlds in a trance state. Once in the spirit world, the shaman would commune with the spirits for assistance in healing, hunting or weather management.
There is so much more to this than what can be fit into this space.
To read more please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism
2007-01-17 08:08:11 · answer #2 · answered by dedum 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Healing is one thing a shaman does.
Just as important (and somehow linked with the knowledge of healing powers) is the preservation of culture and traditions of his people.
2007-01-17 08:00:36 · answer #3 · answered by corleone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be interested in these essays on the subject. They explain it very well:
http://www.cauldronfarm.com/writing/shaman_compare.html
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/cathbodua/Shamanism.html
2007-01-18 04:17:26 · answer #4 · answered by Witchy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a smart spritual person who can enter other dimentions, and take other people there with mind malipuation, and certain natural drugs. and can progo invisible
2007-01-17 07:19:48 · answer #5 · answered by pixi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋