shamanism

American  

[shah-muh-niz-uhm, shey-, sham-uh-] / ˈʃɑ məˌnɪz əm, ˈʃeɪ-, ˈʃæm ə- /

noun

1. the animistic religion of northern Asia, embracing a belief in powerful spirits that can be influenced only by shamans.

2. any similar religion.

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shamanism British  

/ ˈʃæməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the religion of certain peoples of northern Asia, based on the belief that the world is pervaded by good and evil spirits who can be influenced or controlled only by the shamans

2. any similar religion involving forms of spiritualism

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Other Word Forms

• shamanist noun
• shamanistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of shamanism

First recorded in 1770–80; shaman + -ism

Explanation

Shamanism is a belief that there is an unseen spirit world and that special healers can interact with it. In shamanism, practitioners called shamans enter deep trance states in which they communicate with the spirits of ancestors, gods, and demons. The energy from these spiritual connections is used both for healing rituals and to divine the future. The tradition of shamanism goes back to Indigenous residents of Siberia, and the word shamanism derives from the Tungusic šaman, "one who knows."

Example Sentences

Vishnevsky became fascinated by fly agaric through the accounts of explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries witnessing mushroom rituals and shamanism in Siberia.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

The practice is linked to a sect of esoteric Japanese Buddhism called Shugendo, which has its roots in ancient mysticism, shamanism, and mountain worship.

From National Geographic • Jan. 19, 2024

Hytönen-Ng also interviewed and observed a modern-day practitioner of shamanism who uses the Devil's Church for rituals.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2023

Yoon, for his part, has faced an allegation that he resorted to shamanism, while his wife apologized for allegedly exaggerating and falsifying her professional careers.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2022

Fetichism, shamanism, magic, human sacrifice, totemism, ritualism, all were found combined and interactive in a scheme of life alien to our own enlightened outlook.

From The Next Step in Religion An Essay toward the Coming Renaissance by Sellars, Roy Wood