Shamanic music constitutes the deepest stratum of organised sound in Chinese civilisation. Emerging from Neolithic animistic beliefs that attributed spirit to every phenomenon, it developed into a sophisticated sonic technology for mediating between human society and the unseen world. This paper traces the trajectory of shamanic music from the earliest bone flutes of the seventh millennium BCE...
Abstract Despite repeated pronouncements concerning its imminent death as a topic worthy of anthropological attention, shamanism has experienced a revival. However, it has not been subject to or the vehicle of much new and influential theorizing. Based on ethnographic work in Mongolia and Inner Asia, this chapter seeks to do some of the conceptual groundwork for a workable theorization of...
This article examines research related to the use of fetishistic beliefs in the shamanism of the Kyrgyz people in the southwestern part of the Fergana Valley. Such beliefs have not been extensively and deeply studied within Kyrgyz ethnography, despite being an important issue. To study fetishistic beliefs and the sacrality of various fetish objects used in shamanic practices based on elements...
Pharos Journal of TheologyFebruary 14, 2026Manat Kanagatov, Tatyana Seryozhkina, Zukhra Ismagambetova et al.
The purpose of this study was to identify the ontological and cultural foundations of the shamanic tradition in the Turkic culture of Kazakhstan through the concept of altered states of consciousness (ASC). The research focused on how ASC structured the shamanic worldview, shaped ritual practices, and transformed under post-traditional social conditions. The methodological framework combined...
The vestments utilized in shamanic rituals constitute a crucial component of tangible cultural heritage, signifying the shaman’s function in communicating with spirits and deities, as well as their socio-cultural status. The attire of the Khorchin shaman is characterized by a complex structure, comprising an inner deel (traditional robe), a ritual waistcoat (vest), a belt, headgear, boots, and...
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual tradition rooted in the belief that certain individuals can communicate with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness. Shamanism emphasizes harmony with nature, and birds often serve as symbolic guides between earthly and spiritual realms. This paper explores Shamanism's defining traits, such as adaptivity and inclusivity, that contribute to its...
ABSTRACT This paper explores the persistence and transformation of Mongolian shamanic culture in China, focusing on its artistic and symbolic dimensions. Faced with challenges from modernization, scientific rationalism, and historical policies, shamanic rituals and artifacts have undergone significant adaptation—shifting from sacred practices to museum exhibits, folk performances, and private...
The Last Quarter of the Moon is a classic work of contemporary Chinese ethnic minority literature. It chronicles the century-long migration history of the Evenki hunting tribe and richly incorporates the religious narratives of Evenki shamanism. Its English translation has gained wide recognition overseas; however, current research lacks a specialized investigation into how these shamanistic...
Festival in the state of Bahia, a Umbanda terreiro in Pernambuco and a Catimbó ritual in Rio Grande do Norte. The first experience was provided by a smokable version known as changa that became popular among psychonauts. Changa is supposed to have been invented in Australia, but using acacia instead of jurema as the source of DMT, a preparation also referred to as “aussiewaska,” according to...
In the governance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), traditional rituals often fall into a paradox of institutional exhibition. The Korean shamanic rites Ssitgim-gut and Byeolsin-gut, respectively, represent the two poles of ritual institutionalization, displaying semiotic logics of original iconicity and institutional textualization. This study, based on audiovisual materials, archival...