Practice of Shamanism: Traditional Healing Practices and Contemporary Transformations in Khandacakra Municipality, Kalikot
Kanshi Prasad Adhikari
Academia Research Journal December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.3126/academia.v4i1.73350 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Residents of Khandacakra Municipality, Kalikot, Nepal |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Modernization theory Skepticism Face sociological concept Social science Epistemology |
| Key findings | Traditional shamanic practices persist in the community, but modernization, education, and global exposure are driving a shift toward a blended contemporary shamanism that integrates modern therapeutic approaches, particularly among younger generations. |
Abstract
This study explores the practice of shamanism from traditional healing practices to contemporary interpretations in Khandacakra Municipality of Kalikot, Nepal. Utilizing both primary and secondary data, the research examines the socio-cultural and economic factors influencing this transformation. The findings reveal that traditional shamanic culture is in practice in the community, with a significant portion of the population regularly consulting shamans. However, modernization, education, and global cultural exposure are driving changes in these practices. Contemporary shamanism, characterized by a blend of traditional and modern therapeutic approaches, is gaining acceptance, particularly among younger generations. The study highlights the potential for integrating shamanic practices with modern healthcare to provide a holistic approach to health and well-being. Despite challenges such as skepticism from the younger generation and competition from modern healthcare providers, there is strong support for the continued relevance of shamanic practices. This research contributes to the understanding of how traditional practices adapt to modern contexts and offers recommendations for sustaining these practices in the face of ongoing cultural and social changes.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Plantas con madre": plants that teach and guide in the shamanic initiation process in the East-Central Peruvian Amazon. Curanderos, apprentices, and herbalists in East-Central Peru, including Mestizo,... | 2011 | Qualitative study | n = 36 |
| Purging and the body in the therapeutic use of ayahuasca Healers and participants in shamanic tourism contexts of the Peruvian Amazon and... | 2019 | Ethnography with literature review | n = 227 |
| The Globalization of Ayahuasca Shamanism and the Erasure of Indigenous Shamanism Western tourists and indigenous peoples in Iquitos, Peru | 2016 | Ethnography | |
| Shamanism and Rock Art in Far Western North America Historic hunter-gatherer cultures of California and the Great Basin | 1992 | Ethnographic review and analysis | |
| Working with “La Medicina”: Elements of Healing in Contemporary Ayahuasca Rituals Ayahuasqueros and Western participants in shamanic tourism in Iquitos, Peru | 2012 | Ethnography |