Shamanism

:This article is about the practice of shamanism; for the musical groups, see Shaman (musical group), Shaaman or The Shamen.

Etymology

The word shaman originated among the Siberian Tungus (Evenks) and literally means he (or she) who knows; the belief that the word may be derived from Sanskrit is perhaps due to the relation between the words 'shamanism' and 'shramanism', from the sanskrit shramana, Pali and Prakrit samana; but the samanas were ascetics, not shamans.

Related Topics:
Siberia - Evenks - Sanskrit - Shramanism - Pali - Prakrit - Ascetics

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It has replaced the older English language term witch doctor, a term which unites the two stereotypical functions of the shaman: knowledge of magical and other lore, and the ability to cure a person and mend a situation. However, at the present time this term is generally considered to be pejorative and anthropologically inaccurate. Medicine man is preferred, especially as not all traditional peoples approve of the use of shaman as a generic term, given that the word comes from a specific place and people.

Related Topics:
English language - Witch doctor

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