shamanism
Americannoun
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the animistic religion of northern Asia, embracing a belief in powerful spirits that can be influenced only by shamans.
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any similar religion.
noun
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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
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any similar religion involving forms of spiritualism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shamanism
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."
Vocabulary lists containing shamanism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They were first brutally forced to adopt Christianity and abandon their shamanism, before assimilation efforts intensified in the 19th and 20th centuries as the far north's economic importance grew.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
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 unusually public and hostile feud — which has included allegations of plagiarism, chart rigging and shamanism — has led to hundreds of millions of dollars being wiped off Hybe’s market value.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2024
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
The old unorganised animism passes into an organised shamanism, such as still prevails among certain Siberian tribes.
From The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by A. H. (Archibald Henry) Sayce
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