Africa: Wildlife, Landforms and Climate

Witch doctors, psychics, mediums, spiritualists are but just a few of the many names

associated with Shamans. Many of us have heard these names echoed since childhood, but do

we really know who these people are? In the United States these people are viewed as outcast;

there hasn't been a need for them in a very long time. Science, and modern technology have

exiled the Shaman into the fringe of society. They remain a mystery to most, but beckon the

open-minded. The Shaman is a spiritual wayfarer, that hasn't thrived in the United States since

the arrival of the white man, and his conquest of nature.

There are many definitions for shamanism, but few reveal the true nature of the Shaman.

In simple terms, the Shaman is a person called upon to serve as a herald for the realm of the

dead, but a Shaman is much more. A Shaman is someone who has explored, and gained a great

understanding of their inner being. They can tap into the force that flows throughout the world,

and manipulate it. A Shaman can alter his conscience so that he may travel to other worlds filled

with objects, and various kinds of spirits. In the spirit realm, a Shaman can gain knowledge in

order to help in healing, and other matters at hand. He is a spiritual advisor, and a healer of

both physical and mental ailments.

A destined Shaman is typically clued in to their destiny by various forms of suffering.

The most common clue is an extended illness for which there is no apparent cure. During this

time of suffering, the chosen person has dreams, visions, and journeys to the spirit realms, and

are usually accompanied by a guild spirit. This spiritual guild commonly informs the ill person

of their fate to become a Shaman. There is usually hesitation on the part of the chosen one, but

the suffering breaks down the will of that person. In the end, the destined assumes the role as

Shaman, and his suffering diminishes. With the guidance of an elder Shaman, or sometimes just

their spirit guild, the new shaman is initiated into their new existence. It is a existence

between this earthy realm, and that of the dead.

An initiate of Shamanism goes through an significant transformation. As a result of the

suffering, and rigorous training, the initiate experiences the death of his ego. In western

psychology, the ego is the part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality,

through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs actions (Webster's

434). This death is a way of cleansing the Shaman's psyche, and allowing the id to take over.

According to the Webster's definition, the id is the part of the psyche that is regarded as the

reservoir for instinctual drives, the source of psychic energy, and irrational wishing (Webster's

669). This would make sense because the Shaman taps into the instinctual knowledge, and the

psychic energy. This death is also significant because with this death of the ego all the societal

norms that inhibit the powers of the Shaman are gone as well. The Shaman does dwell on the

fringes of society because society tends to diminish a shaman's connection to the life force

which is so vital to their power.

To be a Shaman requires an awareness of nature that is rarely found in our modern

society today. Nature is where a Shaman's power comes from. A Shaman is immersed in the

natural world; avoiding the more "civilized" aspect of society. To be disconnected from nature,

is to be disconnected from their source of power. Modern civilizations have moved away from

nature, and have replaced it with science and technology. One of the shortcomings of our society

today is that we are so seized by our daily routines that we have lost touch with the simple joys

of living on this planet. Instead of sitting outside, and enjoying nature most people in the

United States simply watch television. Therefore modern society contradicts the earthly realm of

the Shaman.

Modern science and technology has an objective; which is to improve, and ultimately

defeat nature. Nature is viewed as the enemy. This is where the contradiction between civilized

society, and the Shaman resides. Modern society fears death, and tries to defy it with the help of

medical technology. Modern science has created an artificial world which relies little on nature,

and more on materialistic vices. In the eyes of a Shaman, modern societies are sick with false

harmony. A Shaman turns away from materialism for it seems trite, and inappropriate to them

(Kalweit 242). A Shaman is knows death, and is comfortable with it. They would be horrified