Help?

[gategrrl]

I need to research shamanism in North America in particular, and Asia secondarily. Does anyone on my flist know of any decent nonfiction books that don't twist it for modern New Age American sensibilities? That's all I seem to be finding at the moment.

Comments

[jennywren102.livejournal.com]

I ran a search on your phrase and came up with these two titles:

http://www.bauuinstitute.com/Publishing/ShamanismInNorthAmerica.html

http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Native-American-Shamanism-Ceremonies/dp/0874369339

They both look pretty good. My search also revealed an interesting level of anger at the term's use relative to Native Americans (First Nation peoples).

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links--eeeks! I haven't had a clear chance yet to take a close look at them yet (tons o the shit have fallen on me and family this past week) but I will. Thanks!

Edited to add: Ah, the first book I actually stumbled on in Amazon.com! I'll have to check to see if I'm getting it through Paperback book swap or have it on my order form.

The second book I just put on my wish list. Ceremonies! Excellent!

Thanks for the recc's!

I haven't found the references you mentioned about the anger relative to native American/First Nation peoples...but on going through the wikipedia entry, I did notice that each tribe/subculture of native peoples have their own names for their healer/magic-person of the tribe. Shaman apparently really only refers to a specific person in specific tribes in eastern Europe, I think.