Historical Dictionary of Shamanism
By (author) Graham Harvey, Robert J. Wallis
Not available to order
Publication date:
15 December 2015Length of book:
392 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442257986
A remarkable array of people have been called shamans, while the phenomena identified as shamanism continues to proliferate. This second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Shamanism contains with examples from antiquity up to today, and from Siberia (where the term “shaman” originated) to Amazonia, South Africa, Chicago and many other places. Many claims about shamans and shamanism are contentious and all are worthy of discussion. In the most widespread understandings, terms seem to refer particularly to people who alter states of consciousness or enter trances in order to seek knowledge and help from powerful other-than-human persons, perhaps “spirits”. But this says only a little about the artists, community leaders, spiritual healers or hucksters, travelers in alternative realities and so on to which the label “shaman” has been applied.
This second edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and extensive bibliography. The dictionary contains over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on individuals, groups, practices and cultures that have been called “shamanic”. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Shamanism.
This second edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and extensive bibliography. The dictionary contains over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on individuals, groups, practices and cultures that have been called “shamanic”. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Shamanism.
In this second edition of the dictionary, Harvey and Wallis continue to challenge a western-centric approach to both a global and localized historical movement. . . .The brevity of each entry allows for a breadth of coverage, spanning continents, cultures, and history. Perhaps most impressive about this updated edition is the extensive bibliography, spanning nearly 100 pages in length, delineated by regions and themes. . . .What Harvey and Wallis have accomplished in this updated edition is to show how that identity continues to transform and elude a reductionist characterization.