Altered States During Shamanic Drumming: A Phenomenological Study
Anette Kjellgren, Anders Eriksson
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2010 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2010.29.2.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Adults who participated in a shamanic-like drumming session |
| Intervention | Shamanic-like drumming |
| Dose | 20-minute session |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key findings | Participants reported diverse experiences including visual imagery, sounds, animal encounters, and insights, with generally positive appreciation and few negative effects. The authors suggest that shamanic-like drumming may complement psychotherapy. |
Abstract
This study investigated the experiences gained from a 20-minute shamanic-like drumming session. Twenty-two persons participated and made written descriptions afterwards about their experiences. A phenomenological analysis was applied which generated 31 categories, that were organized into six themes: 1) The undertaking of the drumming journey, 2) Perceptual phenomena: visual, auditory and somatic, 3) Encounters, 4) Active vs. Passive role, 5) Inner wisdom and guidance, and 6) Reflections on the drumming journey. A multitude of detailed experiences were described such as visual imagery, hearing sounds, encountering animals, as well as gaining insights. Participants generally appreciated the drumming session and few negative effects were noted. The conclusion made is that shamanic-like drumming can be a valuable supplement to other psychotherapeutic techniques.