Where did Shamanism begin?

Answer 1

It is theorized that the earliest knowledge regarding Shamanism comes from Russian anthropologists when they studied tribal nomadic herders in Siberia in the 19th century. Their detailed descriptions of the spiritual practitioners the tribesmen called Shamans, led to the term being continued by anthropologists and historians.

Knowledge has since come to light which has furthered the study of the history of Shamanism, some of which is discussed below, and in the book Dawn Behind the Dawn: A Search for the Earthly Paradise, by Geoffrey Ashe.

Answer 2:

Although Shamanism is recognized worldwide among earth-cultures, shamanism remains a great mystery for most people. Natural energies are all around us--we humans have simple gotten away--too, too far away--from listening to these energies. Tantra and other disciplines help reawaken our sleeping or dormant mind to these energies and how to join with them incooperative effort.

Shamanism is shown to ahve it's roots in the mythos and magik of the Cro-magnon peoples of europe=--amply demonstrated in the cave paintings all over europe. Richard leakey's "Origins" and his subsequent "Origins Reconsidered" sheds new light on shamanisms' origins, functions and the new meanings this gives to old 'evidence' not before taken into consideration. Much of this work centers on comparative studies with current tribal peoples in Africa and the evidence derived from archaeological resources old and new.

For a really good understanding of what shamanism is about, see the terrific move "Phenomenon" with John Travolta.

Shamanisn started as a quest to provide deeper understandings of the natural world for us ill-equipped human beings. Their belief systems functioned in harmony with the natural world, sought a sense of security and predictability for the ill-prepared human beingsthrough intercessors who spoke with or communed with spirits of the elemental world around them.

A significant portion of shamanism is the cyclic nature ofour world--season follows season, migratory animals follow their respective trails, the heavens above turn across the night skiesand sink beneath the horizon only to reappear the next night. Wind moves in its greatest force in a circle--tornadoes; birds build circular nests; from dust to dust the cycle continues, and all its energies can be 'listened to', acted in concert with, and results shared...

The most remote and inaccessible of tiny chambers wherein many single or small groupings of effigy carvings/paintings are found present in some cases with theinability for the artist to even see his own handiwork. There are cases shown where the last possible distance one could reach into, even by only an arm or hand, was the desired location. The animal effigies carved there were 'planted' into the earth to prosper the species, a seed placed into a sacred womb, mother earth herself!

Other larger chambers were specifically chosen for their accuostic resonance--a perfect setting for large groups to partake in shamanistic ceremonies wherein the rockwall itself, covered in paintings, becomes the doorway between two worlds with the shaman operating in both at once. Healing, death, birth and 'running interference' for the hunt, the harvest, etc., against malevolent spirits are but some of the functions a shaman would perform.

There are specific geometric patternings relavant to each of three progressive stages of ssc (shamanic state of consciousness)--again, see Richard Leakey's "Origins Reconsidered" for a much more on the matter.

Answer 3

Please read Richard Leakeys "Origins Reconsidered"--his work puts a whole new look on the origins of shamanism, and brings the practice much further back than Geoffrey Ashe's work.

Answer 4:

Apparently the other responder is thinking only of when the word 'shaman' was adopted.

Ashes' work is already outdated by Leakeys' "Origins Reconsidered"--comparisons between current shamanistic cultures and the Cro-Magnon peoples' cave paintings reveal the practice to date significantly further back than 19th century nomadic herders.

To wit: How could the basic practices and principles of shamanism have become world-wide ony SINCE the 19th century? Not possible--shamanism was/is practiced by every prehistoric culture on earth, so it isn't possible for nomadic herders to have traveled the globe to spread this practice since the 19th century.

Answer 2

The earliest knowledge regarding Shamanism comes from Russian anthropologists when they studied tribal nomadic herders in Siberia in the 19th century. Their detailed descriptions of the spiritual practitioners the tribesmen called Shamans, led to the term being continued by anthropologists and historians.

A wonderful book detailing the origins of this, and other primitive practises, is Dawn Behind the Dawn: A Search for the Earthly Paradise, by Geoffrey Ashe.

Answer 3

There is no way of knowing that, because the practice of shamanism reaches back into the eras of pre-history. Shamanism does not refer to any specific religion, but is simply a word indicating that certain persons are regarded as have special spiritual powers or abilities. Technically, the word "shaman" is just as appropriate when speaking of an ordained Christian clergy as to referring to an Amazonian tribal priest.

Answer 4

Shamanism began in Siberia. It is not Native American. Native Americans just refer to their medicine people as medicine men or medicine women. This started at the beginning of our existence since the first Native American discovered that plants could be used as medicine.

Answer 5

Shamanism is the catch-all term for any group of beliefs that focuses on nature and communicating with its sprits. It can be found in every culture on earth at every point in history in some form or another.

Answer 6

Shamanism is a form of paganism.