E-viri
-
Chidester, David
Religion, 04/2018Book Chapter
According to the classic definition proposed by Äke Hultkrantz, a shaman is “a social functionary who, with the help of guardian spirits, attains ecstasy to create a rapport with the supernatural world on behalf of his or her group members.”¹ As a social functionary, the shaman is defined not merely by the extraordinary personal ability to achieve ecstasy, communicate with spirits, or affect the healing of individuals but also by a public capacity to mediate between a transcendent reality and a particular social group. In many instances, the relevant social group for a shaman is constituted by kinship, since shamans
