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Shamans can mediate between this world and the next, between humans and animals, living and dead (control of animal movement / water / sun – important for hunting and growing crops)
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Shamans can communicate with the dead, accompany the dead (take messages from living to the dead and vice-versa – ‘dialogues with the dead’)
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Shamans have ambiguity of sex and role-play (they have been viewed as ‘tricksters’ – people can’t tell if they are telling the truth or not – this is integral to their performances)
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Performance of controlled trance, seeking knowledge through ecstasy
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Use of altered states (see table below) – accessing the spiritual world, transcending reality through metaphor
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The shaman’s power may be devised from spirits but can reside in objects, songs, or actions, such as beating a drum or shaking a rattle
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Shamans act as healers of disease or can been dark shamans sending evil energy to competing groups / tribes or individuals (such as murderers)
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Shamans can steal goods whilst under trance
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Shamans live in a tiered world – a three tiered world is similar to our own with heaven / middle earth / hell. Shamans from around the world have more than three, e.g. some south American shamans have up to 9 or 11 levels. These are climbed through initiation and altered states.
Table 1: Techniques for Entering an Altered State of Consciousness (ASC) |
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1. |
Auditory driving such as drumming and singing |
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2. |
Hallucinogens |
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3. |
Fasting and nutritional deficits |
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4. |
Physical or sensory deprivation including ‘hostage situations’ |
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5. |
Increased mental activity |
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6. |
Meditation |
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7. |
Strong flickering light |
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8. |
Excessive movement or dance |
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9. |
Austerities such as wounds and feats of endurance |
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10. |
Intensive temperature conditions |
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11. |
Sleep and dream states |
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12. |
Staring into a mirror |
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13. |
Sexual restrictions |
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14. |
Alcohol |
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15. |
Migraine and other pathological symptoms |
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16. |
Posture |
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17. |
Pilgrimages to specific locations |
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