Question by shawtyy: what do you know about the religion Shamanism?
i need a lot of info about this religion. im doing a oral report on it tomorrow. and it has to be 10-15 minutes long.
please help.
Best answer:
Answer by Labgrrl, CWF
As a “religion” Shamanism only applies to the Tungus of Siberia. Otherwise is it used as a religious practice.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Most cultures have some form of Shamanism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism
http://www.crystalinks.com/shamanism.html
http://www.shamanism.org/
http://www.sacred-texts.com/sha/index.htm
http://www.shamanlinks.net/
Shamanism isn’t a religion, but a way of life. It’s typically practiced in indigenous areas, by Native Americans. A Shaman is what is known as a “Medicine man” or “Medicine woman”, and these were, and are, spiritual leaders in tribal communities, but they aren’t necessarily practicing a tribal religion.
They are the wise people, the healers. But they may practice any religion. There are Shamans who practice Christianity, or they may revere the local gods of their ancestors. Their religions may be syncretic (adopting bits from many religions), or they may hold to a single faith.
The main aspect most common to Shamans is that they are able to act as a bridge between this world and the spirit world. They can speak with the ancestors. Some times they use this ability to help cure disease, or to mend relationships between individuals.
For an excellent description of what a Shaman is, see Robert Tindall’s book “The Jaguar That Roams the Mind”.
Then again, if a 10-minute report is due tomorrow, I think you should have started earlier.