Eurasian Shamanism: A General Survey Quiz

Answer: the ecstatic one

The word 'shaman' is often translated as 'the ecstatic one'. There is still a great deal of controversy surrounding the origin of the word. Some believe it is taken from the Tungus word 'saman', while others believe it is from 'samana', a Pali word, 'sha-men', from the Chinese language, or the Vedic word 'sram' (translated as 'to heat oneself'). (Stutley, 3)

Answer: reindeer urine

There is no documentation supporting the use of reindeer urine as a mind-altering substance during ecstatic performance.

Vodka has been known to be used among shamans from many different tribes in Russian and Siberia.

The Yakut shamans use a beverage called 'koumiss' which is made of fermented mare's milk.

'Tarasun' is a substance made of wine and milk and is sometimes used by Buriat shamans during their ecstatic performances.

(Stutley 5, 20, 30)

Answer: drum

Typically, the drum is a symbol denoting the universe and is the most important part of a shaman's costume. In Siberian shamanism, the drum is viewed as a horse which "transports" the shaman to the center of the world. (Stutley 39, 40)

Mirrors are used in some shamanic ceremonies but do not drive the ceremony in the way that the drum does. The Tuvans believe that the mirror is the most powerful spirit protectors for the shaman. Goldi people held that all human deeds could be reflected in the mirror. In a more general sense, the mirror was believed to ward off disease, act as a type of alternate soul, purify water, and save off unfriendly spirits. (Stutley, 47)

Some shamans used a staff during ceremonies. Usually, these staffs were ornately decorated. In some cases, the Daur, Duriat and Darhat Mongols were known to use a staff instead of a drum. (Stutley 47-48)

Answer: The role of shaman is not passed down through family lineage

Indeed, among Eurasian peoples, there is a rite to claim a shaman's function through family lineage. This opportunity is open to both men and women. According to Stutley, without representation on Earth, the gift of shamanism becomes very dangerous to those in possession of the gift. Thus, most families always attempt to have a living shaman to represent their lineage. (Stutley, 9)

The job of descending to the underworld is typically reserved for "Black Shamans", who are few in number. Some Altaic "Black Shaman" have been known to journey with souls to the underworld but place soot on their faces in order to avoid being recognized. (Stutley, 34-35)

Answer: drug use

Vivid dreams, meditative states, and prolonged illness are all ways that a shaman receives his "call". Though mind-altering substances can be used to aid in the process, drug use without the proper course of "mental training" cannot be the sole cause of a shaman receiving the call. (Stutley, 8) This criterion is usually the case for cultures which have shamans; it is not just limited to the Eurasian shamanic example.

Answer: True

According to Stutley, in some groups, rather than undergo the process of becoming androgynous, some would-be shamans committed suicide. Androgyny is viewed as the perfect balance and as embracing the duality of existence--an important aspect of shamanism. Among the Chukchi, male and female shamans were actually known to have undergone ritual and psychological sex change. Usually this practice consisted of dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex and attempting to emulate stereotypically male or female traits. (Stutley, 12)

Answer: skeleton

In this common initiatory practice, shamans must be able to visualize themselves as a skeleton. Then, in the secret language of shamans, each body part and bone must be named --a skill acquired from the initiatory shaman's teacher. The idea behind this practice is that the shaman is then free from the confines of his body. Siberian shamans are said to see their own dismemberment carried out by a sort of mythological being, while Inuit shamans fulfill the initiation rite through intense meditation. (Stutley, 18)

Answer: ladder

The ladder is sometimes used as a symbol denoting the shaman's ascent to the sky, whereas gods and the souls of the dead are believed to descend to earth via ladder. Ladder symbolism has also been used in the ancient Egyptian, Christian, and Muslim religions. (Stutley, 31)

Answer: True

Though the performances can take place in daylight hours, it is not usually the case. The darkness is believed to eliminate everyday distractions and allows the shaman to "see" what ordinary people are not capable of seeing. This is a universal practice among Eurasian tribes. (Stutley, 30)

Answer: in a reindeer skin

Tree trunks, sacred groves, depressions in a steppe, on a platform raised with four posts (as has been recorded of the Tungus and Yukaghir peoples), on mountain tops, in the branches of a birch tree, and in a cave are all locations in which the dead body of a shaman might end up. Those bodies placed in sacred groves often then become areas for the carrying out of cultic rituals.

When a shaman is buried in the limbs of a birch tree, if anyone chances cutting down the tree it is believed he will die immediately. Among Siberian people it is said that the location of shamans' graves is remembered for generations. Cremation is the preferred method of shamanic body disposal among the Buriats, Chukchis, and Koryaks. (Stutley, 101, 103)