Shamanism

Other common name(s): shaman, medicine man, shamanka, medicine woman, witch doctor

Scientific/medical name(s): none

Description

Shamanism is the name given to a group of ancient folk medicine practices, all of which use supernatural or spiritual healing. The healing rituals are done by a shaman, a person seen by a people or a tribe as someone with special religious and/or magical powers. Belief that the soul or spirit can leave the body is central to shamanic practice.

Overview

Although stories have existed for centuries, and many people around the world continue to practice shamanism today, available scientific evidence does not suggest that it can cure cancer or any other disease. Some key elements of shamanism, such as the use of imagery, have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.

How is it promoted for use?

Shamanism is based on the belief that healing has a spiritual aspect that must be addressed. People who believe in shamans say that they can heal both the body and soul, as well as restore harmony to the community and nature. Shamans claim they communicate with spirits in order to help heal. Some shamans claim they can heal spiritual, psychic, and physical wounds as well as communities and global conditions.

Not all shamans claim the ability to heal every disease. Shamans often work in cultures that include other specialists such as herbalists, diviners, bonesetters, and midwives. Some shamans are very selective in choosing which people they will treat, because if they fail, they may be punished by the tribe. For example, shamans who believe that their brand of healing will not influence the course of cancer may choose not to work with a person who has cancer. Sometimes they prescribe more elaborate rituals to try to address difficult illnesses. At other times, the shaman may pronounce a person incurable.

What does it involve?

The shaman enters a trance, either self-induced or through the aid of hallucinogens or fasting, to determine what is wrong with the patient and what to do about it. The shaman or an assistant may pray, sing, chant, dance, or drum around the patient. Storytelling and other art forms may also be used. During the trance, the shaman's soul is believed to leave the body and travel to the spirit world in a search to help the sick person. In the spirit world, the shaman communicates with the spirits thought to be responsible for the illness. Although the shaman is in a trance, he is still conscious and aware. This allows him to bargain with the spirits who can help the patient’s illness. The shaman returns and shares his or her vision with the sick person.

True shamans must complete rigorous training, especially in the ability to achieve the controlled trance required for communication with the spirits. Shamans work both with individual patients and with groups. In the United States, many Native American healers also practice shamanism, although they are usually called medicine men or medicine women. It is common practice for Native American medicine men or women to conduct healing sessions at night, most often in places with some religious connection or significance.

What is the history behind it?

Shamanism may be the oldest of all healing practices, dating back as far as 40,000 years. It is believed to have begun in the Altai and Ural Mountains of western China and Russia, probably in the form of a religion. In the Tungusu-Manchurian language, the word shaman means “one who knows.”

Many early cultures had their own forms of shamanism. These included people on the North American and South American continents and in Asia, India, Africa, the South Pacific, and Australia. Each early culture throughout the world had its own shamans, though not all were called by that name. The shaman, shamanka, or native healer was thought to be the only person in the tribe who could see beyond the everyday world and communicate with the spirits of ancestors, animals, gods, and demons.

Today, shamanism is still practiced as folk medicine in some parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Due to increased interest in shamanic traditions, some new age practitioners now claim to be shamans but do not practice within the traditions of any folk or traditional system.

What is the evidence?

There are many stories about the success of shamans throughout history. Most of these stories are not unlike the reports of religious “miracles” at shrines such as Lourdes. Available scientific evidence does not support claims that spirits exist, that a shaman can communicate with and influence them, or that illness is caused by spirits.

Those who accept shamanism believe it works in a spiritual dimension of life that must be cleansed of evil spirits. Available scientific evidence furnishes no proof of shamanic ability to cure disease. Any results are most likely due to the placebo effect, in which believing that something can or will happen creates a positive result. Pain may subside because the patient believes the shaman made it subside.

Some key elements of shamanism, such as the use of imagery, have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. One researcher at Stanford University reported that some aspects of shamanism might be helpful in changing destructive thought patterns in people with cancer. However, available scientific evidence does not support claims that shamanism is effective in treating cancer or any other disease.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

Shamanism is generally considered safe and may be useful as a complementary approach to help people who have cancer deal with their emotions, certain symptoms of cancer, and the side effects of cancer treatment. However, people who believe in spirits may fear being harmed by them. In addition, some shamans expect the patient to share in taking an hallucinogenic drug, which may be harmful to some people.

It is important to know that some who claim to be shamans are not trained within a folk or traditional system of medicine. Someone without training or experience in the field may not be skilled or sensitive to the needs and issues important to someone living with cancer and could cause psychological harm.

Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Dietary Supplements: How to Know What Is Safe

The ACS Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management

Complementary and Alternative Methods for Cancer Management

Placebo Effect

Learning About New Ways to Treat Cancer

Learning About New Ways to Prevent Cancer

References

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Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook: The Complete Reference Guide to Alternative and Complementary Therapies. New York, NY: W.W. Norton; 1998.

Metzner R. Hallucinogenic drugs and plants in psychotherapy and shamanism. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1998;30:333-341.

Money M. Shamanism and complementary therapy. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1997;3:131-135.

National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication 94-066.

Takatoka. False shamans. Manataka American Indian Council Web site. Accessed at www.manataka.org/page23.html on May 23, 2008.

Vitebsky P. The Shaman. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company; 1995.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.