Bōlērākō-cu! / “Speak, I’m Talking to You!” Reconstructing the Self in Tamang Shamanism
Martor. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant Anthropology Review November 15, 2023 DOI: 10.57225/martor.2023.28.11 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals experiencing biopsychological disorders who engage in the initiation ritual in Tamang shamanism in Nepal |
| Intervention | Initiation ritual in Tamang shamanism |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key findings | Internalizing the preconfigured structure of the Tamang shamanic initiation ritual reshapes individuals' sense of self to align with the role and expectations of a shaman. |
Abstract
The social functions of ritual are well studied in anthropology, but their psychological and neural basis for reconfiguring the individual self remains less explored. This study focuses on the initiation ritual in Tamang shamanism in Nepal, demonstrating how cultural tools help transform the cognitive and embodied self-narratives of individuals experiencing various biopsychological disorders who engage in this ritual. Fragmentation, instability, and inconsistency create a separation between us and the world around us, as well as a disconnection from our own bodies. All of these are consequences of mental and physical suffering, and the central place where they manifests is the self. Through the process of internalizing the preconfigured structure or framework embedded within the initiation ritual in Tamang shamanism, individuals reshape their own sense of self to align with the role and expectations of a shaman within their society.