Initiation rituals of shamans and folk healers in Hulunbeir, Inner Mongolia: similarities and dissimilarities
After the Cultural Revolution new shamans are coming forth every year. In their activities they become possessed by their ancestral spirits, the ongon, which were formally induced into them at their initiation ritual. Folk healers, too, claim that they can work successfully because they are assisted...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Molnar & Kelemen Oriental Publ.
2010
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| In: |
Shaman
Year: 2010, Volume: 18, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 87-98 |
| Further subjects: | B
Spirit Possession
B Shamanism B China B Religion B Healers B Initiation rites; Comparative studies B Ancestors; Religious aspects |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | After the Cultural Revolution new shamans are coming forth every year. In their activities they become possessed by their ancestral spirits, the ongon, which were formally induced into them at their initiation ritual. Folk healers, too, claim that they can work successfully because they are assisted by an ongon, the spirit of a former healer in their family. Contemporary shamans perform initiation rituals similar to those for shamans also for healers. Healers, however, do not seem to need such an initiation. The article discusses similarities and dissimilarities in the two kinds of rituals in the light of a shaman’s or healer’s relation to the ongon. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Shaman
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