Distinct Functions Of A Shaman

The shaman, plural or singular, performs and functions as a distinct part of the society to which they belong, often their qualities compound several professions that many Americans take for granted. Healing of all types, counsel, storytelling, etc., are just a few of the function performed by the shaman that are necessary to their society. The functions of a shaman, male, female, or many, are numerous, dependent of course on the culture, –and in some instances, but not all, the gender of the shaman. It is also important to remember that shaman is a general term for a wide variety of cultural folk healers, and that it is one inch away from being a politically incorrect term, if not already, a rude pejorative of folk healers in general. Listed below are some of the key roles shaman play in numerous cultures, sometimes one, or many of the roles are taken however.

• Communicating with spirits, or the spirit world in general, regardless of the neutrality of the spirit in question. In the majority of cultures that still include the shaman as necessity, it is considered highly taboo for any other member of the tribe/society to perform this function.
• Treating illnesses, caused by real affliction, or by spiritual parasites through a variety of methods, spiritual and herbal.
• Using spiritual and rhythmic techniques to heal, or induce visionary ecstacy through hypnotic methods.
• Storytelling, passing down descendant lore, and history by word of mouth.
• Evoking the images of deified animals, or spirits to act as guides, omens, or the bearers of divine communication from the spirit world.
• Performing sacred tasks on religiously significant events, whether artistically, or through leading a sacrifice to the spirits, or deities to which the belief of the society subscribes.
• Acting as a guide for the souls of the recently deceased; helping the spirits of the dead to cross over into their own realm, and presiding over funeral proceedings.