Product Description

Historically, Native American peoples believed that life was to be lived in a sacred manner. There were ceremonies for nearly every act of life that formed the very basis of Native American religious life and were a means of invoking good fortune. Entries include the names and results of medicine ceremonies, renowned shamans famous for their powers, techniques used by shamans to acquire and control the power of sacred ceremonies, technical terms used by anthropologists, biographies of anthropologists who research these ceremonies, cross-cultural symbolic motifs, plants and sacred paraphernalia associated with ceremonies, and recurring themes that structure these ceremonies.

Scholars, students, and everyone interested in Native American cultures or shamanism will find this work fascinating and informative.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2104896 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 512 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-A compilation of anthropological research gathered during the past three centuries, this scholarly work tackles the attitudes toward and accomplishments of Native American shamans. Over time, western European prejudices and beliefs have been superimposed on this information. Attempts have been made in this volume to remove doubt or suspicion of shamans and their abilities, and to report the facts without prejudice. The book is "...written from the point of view of the natives themselves, that is, in the belief that shamans can do what they say they can do." The articles are arranged alphabetically, and most of the entry titles are in the Native languages. The extensive index includes both subject and tribal name entries, which should aid students requiring information about specific tribes. This volume focuses on the non-healing applications of shamanism and is meant as a companion to Lyon's Encyclopedia of Native American Healing (ABC-CLIO, 1996). Some terms are only defined in the earlier work, almost forcing a dual purchase. Plant usage, a popular research topic, is not addressed, although a lengthy segment on ethnobotany is included. The black-and-white illustrations do not always coincide with entries, making them more decorative than useful. Overall, an interesting, favorable treatment of magic in Native society for larger collections.
Mary B. McCarthy, ACLIN/Colorado State Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
A companion to Lyon's previous Encyclopedia of Native American Healing (LJ 3/15/97), this volume continues his study of shamanism with ethnographic research into its various manifestations in North America. The scholarly entries, which range from short cross references to several pages, are alphabetically arranged and survey Native Americans in the United States and Canada. Included are entries on topics from war medicine to ethnologists and their fieldwork. Modern science is just beginning to catch up with the music, visualization, and prayer offerings that Native Americans have used for centuries and documented since the 1600s. This work provides a short synopsis and a bibliography of cited works as well as an ethnobotany bibliography. For public and academic libraries.ALeo Kriz, West Des Moines P.L., IA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Genuine Anthropology
So much anthropology is caught up in the detached scientific method. People don't realize that for all its powers, that science has its limitations. Einstein realized that, but many lesser scientists in many fields don't seem to realize that. The author of this volume utilizes science -- to the extent that it works, but he strikes a balance by looking the spiritual aspects of societies from their perspective.

Native American Shamanism without bias. Extensively researched, with sources noted. Entries include reference to the culture group and/or tribe.