Definition of shamanism Shamanism

/ʃejˈmʌnɪˌzm/ - [sheymunizm] - sha•man•ism

We found 6 definitions of shamanism from 5 different sources.

What does shamanism mean?

Noun Plural: shamanisms
shamanism - any animistic religion similar to Asian shamanism (especially as practiced by certain Native American tribes)
		religious belief, religion, faith a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"
		the states, u.s.a., united states of america, us, america, u.s., united states, usa North America and South America and Central America
shamanism - an animistic religion of northern Asia having the belief that the mediation between the visible and the spirit worlds is effected by shamans
		Asian shamanism
		religious belief, religion, faith a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"

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shamanism (n.)
The type of religion which once prevalied among all the Ural-Altaic peoples (Tungusic, Mongol, and Turkish), and which still survives in various parts of Northern Asia. The Shaman, or wizard priest, deals with good as well as with evil spirits, especially the good spirits of ancestors.

shamanism
sham′an-izm, n. a name applied loosely to the religion of the Turanian races of Siberia and north-eastern Asia, based essentially on magic and sorcery.—n. Sham′an, a wizard priest.—adj. Shaman′ic.—n. Sham′anist.—adj. Shamanis′tic. [Perh. Hind. shaman, idolater.]

Shamanism is the name for a number of religious movements. Originally, it was used by Europeans to describe different religious and magical movements they could observe with certain indigenous people in Siberia, from about the 17th century. In the 20th century, the word was also used to describe other, similar movements worldwide.

Shamans play a central role in these movements, as they can be in both worlds, this one, and the world of spirits.

Shamanism is different form animism or animatism. Unlike these, it is not an organised movement.