ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Zande People, Exsanguination, Forensic Pathology
19 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Anthropologists interested in religion and spirituality explore questions like: what are the functions of religion, beliefs: what can we learn from studying them, how are magic and religion related, origin of religion. Origins of belief in supernatural may have roots in animism and/or mana. Other synonyms (problematic): witch doctor, medicine man. Spiritual leader who goes into a trance (via process of transformation) in order to communicate with spirit world and ask for guidance/help on behalf of a person, or to search for, return, a lost soul. Oldest spiritual belief system: 25-30,000 years ago. Not hierarchical spiritual tradition (eg. major religions) Belief that there are different worlds inhabited by spiritual beings. Through help of shaman, you can manipulate those spiritual forces on your behalf. Usually for good purposes, but can also be for malevolent purposes. Shamanic belief systems have shamans as leaders: works on behalf of community of people. Part-time practitioners: not a full time job.
