General Characteristics And Practice Of Shamans Or Other Religious Leaders

Decent Essays
Unit 1 Essay

Question#1: Describe the general characteristics and practice of shamans. In your answer explain how shamans differ from priests or any other religious leaders.

According to the textbook, a Shaman is a person who in many indigenous peoples' societies, through special initiation, has powers of spiritual control, divination, healing, and contacting Gods and spirits, usually exercised through elaborate performances and in a trance (Ellwood, pg. 428). Shamans have certain characteristics and religious practices which differ from other religion, can be found in nearly every part of the world.

The general characteristics of a shaman can be one who has a deeper understanding and perception of the spiritual world that can lead

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