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.
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
Even today, the place is visited by practitioners of shamanism, who organise drumming sessions in the cave.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 27, 2023
Xiong Lee’s path to shamanism has been arduous, entailing rigorous training with a shaman mentor to learn how to communicate with the spirit world.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 25, 2023
Some of these are connected with thaumaturgy and shamanism, some are connected with the powers of nature, and the several devices overlap and interlace in puzzling fashion.
From The Siouan Indians by McGee, W. J. (William John)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
