shamanism

[ shah-muh-niz-uhm, shey-, sham-uh- ]

See synonyms for: shamanism shamanist on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Origin of shamanism

First recorded in 1770–80; shaman + -ism

Other words from shamanism

sha·man·ist, noun, adjective
sha·man·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shamanism in a sentence

The Shuar are the Indigenous people of the region, legendary warriors known for shamanism and for shrinking the heads of their enemies.
Journey to the Center of the Earth | David Kushner | December 28, 2020 | Outside Online
Greenspan cultivated an oracular air, his utterances vague and technocratic yet hinting at shamanistic powers.
Bernanke's Arrogance Problem | Zachary Karabell | December 6, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
In 1980 he added Trois Villes Saintes, a barely readable exercise in shamanistic geography.
If He Had to be French... | Peter Stothard | October 9, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
Color symbolism plays an important part in the shamanistic system of the Cherokees, no less than in that of other tribes.
The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees | James Mooney
Many of their practices were purely shamanistic, while others more closely resembled medieval magical rite.
Legends & Romances of Brittany | Lewis Spence

The non-shamanistic song series are "given away" or "destroyed" (tšupilyk) at the death of a relative.
Seven Mohave Myths | A. L. Kroeber
The songs of a good many non-shamanistic narratives are danced to when there is a festival or gathering.
Seven Mohave Myths | A. L. Kroeber
Under the influence of Eridu the religion of Babylonia ceased to be so purely Shamanistic as it once had been.
A Primer of Assyriology | Archibald Henry Sayce

British Dictionary definitions for shamanism

shamanism

/ (ˈʃæməˌnɪzəm) /

noun

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
any similar religion involving forms of spiritualism

Derived forms of shamanism

shamanist, noun, adjective
shamanistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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