shaman

Encyclopedia Article

Article

A term used as a general reference to an indigenous community's spiritual leader or traditional healer. Such a person has the skills and knowledge to perform rituals, heal sick or injured individuals, communicate with ancestors and the otherworld, prepare traditional medicine, and provide spiritual counseling.

Photo Credit: 

 
"Curandera, a traditional healer or shaman, Los Golondrinas, New Mexico, July 16, 2011" by Larry Lamsa is licensed under CC BY.

Published Works: 
People of Darkness (1980)
The Dark Wind (1982)
The Ghostway (1984)
Term Type: 
Cultural Reference