Shamanism, archaeological representations of
Neil Price
The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality April 20, 2015 DOI: 10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs483 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key points | Argues that sexuality is a key arena of shamanic expression, with cross-dressing and sexually transgressive behaviors appearing in almost all shamanic societies and shaping distinct shamanic gender identities. Contends that ritual often has an explicit sexual focus, involving symbolic and literal carnal performances, and proposes that this complex may be detectable archaeologically through artifact combinations, gender signals, or objects with sexual uses or references. |
Abstract
Sexuality is one of the key arenas of social expression through which shamanic belief systems are articulated, in both spiritual ideas and physical practice. Elements of cross‐dressing and other sexually transgressive behaviors are found in almost all shamanic societies, building special gender identities unique to shamans. These are further manifested in an explicit sexual focus in the purpose and practice of ritual, the latter frequently involving a wide range of carnal performances, both symbolic and literal. This shamanic complex has reflections in material culture and is potentially detectable archaeologically either through particular combinations of artifacts and gender signals or by the presence of objects with clearly sexual uses or references.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond | 2014 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Shamanism as the Original Neurotheology | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California | 1998 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From Culture to Experience: Shamanism in the Pages of the Soviet Anti-Religious Press | 2020 | Historical analysis | |
| Anthropology, Shamanism, and Alternate Ways of Knowing–Being in the World: One Anthropologist's Journey of Discovery and Transformation | 2010 | Reflective essay or personal narrative |