The Cultural Evolution of Shamanism

Fieldwork among the h-men of rural Yucatan, following the prayers, offerings and rain ceremonies that still shape village life. Photographs and transcribed rituals show Maya practice as it happens.

Bruce Love

Three essays by leading historians of religion on how the idea of shamanism was built, borrowed and argued over. Balzer writes on Siberia, Bremmer on Greek ecstatic techniques, Ginzburg on the long trail of the witches sabbath.

Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Jan N. Bremmer and Carlo Ginzburg

A doctoral study built on fieldwork with Mentawai shamans and a cross-cultural survey of beliefs in mystical harm. It asks why the same religious specialists keep appearing in societies that never met.

Manvir Singh

Ten studies on shamanic practice among the Manchu, Daur, Yi and other peoples, from archaeology to living ritual. A rare look at how these traditions are being rebuilt after decades of suppression.

Thomas Michael and Feng Qu