ANTH 222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ann Lee, Zoomorphism, Gautama Buddha
Document Summary
Intermediaries between individual or community and the divine. They are more important in some religions than in others. The more complex a society; the more likely it is to have religions specialists. Some attributes that define religious specialists to one category or another. Regular rituals vs specific rituals as needed. Part-time religious figure who mediates between people and supernatural beings and forces and whose position is based on direct relationship with the supernatural. Mediates between human world and spirit world. Communicates with the spirit world through soul journey or spirit flight . In a trance state, experiences visions in which they believe communicates directly with the spirit world. Shaman gets power directly from the spirits. Requires a certain amount of charisma, forcefulness or personality, becuase their power is personal. Shamans may be male or female, depending on the culture. As mediators, shamans can more easily shift from one gender role to the other, or embody elements of both.
