Shamans : A Misunderstood People Revealed

Most people will think they know what a Shaman is, but there is a very good chance they're wrong, because this video will also show how many academics also don't understand Shamanism. An interesting look at how to understand Shamanism by looking at rock art.
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🧡 Please respect other's cultures and beliefs. Racism, discrimination or threatening speech will not be tolerated.
📚 References
Eliade, Mircea. The Myth of the Eternal Return
Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and Profance
Elilade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstacy
Devlat, Ekaterina, 2001. “Rock Art and the Material Culture
of Siberian and Central Asian Shamanism.” In Archaeology of
Shamanism, pp. 43-55. London: Routledge.
Stutley, Margaret. 2004. Shamanism. An introduction. London:
Routledge.
Francfort, Henri-Paul, 2001. “Art, Archaeology and the
Prehistories of Shamanism in Central Eurasia.” In The Concept
of Shamanism: Uses and Abuses, pp. 243-276. Edited by Henri-Paul
Francfort and Roberte N. Hamayon. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó.
Chang, Kwang-chih, 1992. “The Circumpacific Substratum of
Ancient Chinese Civilization.” In Pacific Northeast Asia in Prehistory:
Hunter-Fisher-Gatherers, Farmers, and Sociopolitical Elites. Edited
by C. Melvin Aikens and Song Nai Rhee. Pullman: Washington State
University Press.

[@Crecganford]

What other religous characters would you like a deeper dive into? Priests? Druids? More on Shamans?

[@peckishpagan]

What about the Djinn? I consider them religious characters, but I’m not sure if you do. I would love to see you do deep dive on the Djinn, either way.

[@user-wr4uz8pg7m]

Augurs please. :)

[@1992badylek]

Slavic pantheons, like Perun and Svetowid

[@ekurisona663]

all 3!

[@DorchesterMom]

Wise women. Healers. Herbalists. Midwives… the spiritual ties assigned to their actual work.

[@SteveWray]

When I was studying Shamanism, I came across something expressed by a Siberian Shaman. "Religion is like there's a door, and there's someone on the other side of the door, and you're worshipping them. Shamanism is like, there's a door, and someone is standing in the doorway, and you're trying to push past them to get through it."

[@fredwood1490]

What would be the difference between a Witch and a Shaman? Don't both names mean "Healer"? No doubt there are many form of witchcraft, from Herbalist to "Headoligist", Nurses- Midwives and Dullas to Faith Healers. What does the local population need? Jean Auel's Mog Or did many things, but he was a fantasy, but then, isn't that what all religions, understandings of the Universe, Human culture is? The major religions of any age were and are political-economic entities, tied to giving people answers they want at a price they can afford and power over those people to the leaders, at a price they can afford. What about the universal nature of the Shamanic, why are there so many similarities? Despite cultural differences, Human interpretations of real events are limited by the Human mind and that by the human brain. However, one other thing as happened, The Witch's Sabbath or the Shaman's Moot, a gathering of such people, held every few years, to share experiences and methods of action and ritual, to give real answers to the child's "whying" questions, asked by tribal leaders and common members alike. Much like a modern "Convention", information is created and shared over a larger distance and then moved on by use of the Witch-Shamans. Look to the stories, those called "Fairy Tales" and Podcasts for how and why such information was and is shared.

[@thousandreasonswhynot]

Oof I'm so early, I should be a paleolithic painter 🙃

[@randywise5241]

Has anyone asked a Shaman?

[@that44rdv4rk]

does the guy walking around with a bouquet of mushrooms at a Phish show count?

[@chocoquark4831]

​@@that44rdv4rkwhich mushrooms did he have?

[@that44rdv4rk]

​@@chocoquark4831 Not sure which mushrooms... witch mushrooms? Maybe.

[@randywise5241]

@@that44rdv4rk There are tribes in Siberia that still have them.

[@SuperRobinjames]

A Shaman can only come from Siberia, surely, Druids only from Celtic speaking peoples, it's a language thing. The word Shaman has become a catch all word for anyone, anywhere, any when, using music and/or dance and/or mind altering substances or practices to do any number of different things.

[@yau6666]

In modern Korea, traditional shamanism is still practiced. Traditional Korean shamans are called mudang (무당) in modern Seoulite Korean language. There are male mudangs, but there are more female mudangs. Before Korea modernized, mudangs were treated as the lowest class of society for at least 500 years. The pre-modern Korean kingdom (Joseon), which adopted Confucianism as its social legal principle, collapsed in 1910, but society's perception of mudangs is still negative. It is said that a spirit asks a person to become a mudang to serve him, and if (s)he accepts, (s)he goes to an older mudang to receive an initiation ceremony. During this process, most subjects refuse to become mudangs, so they try to drive out the spirits with the power of Buddhism or Christianity. However, if the exorcism fails or if (s)he decides to accept the spirits on his/her own, (s)he becomes a mudang. I once heard a story about a grandmother who decided to become a mudang instead of her grandson/granddaughter who was a mudang subject. If a mudang had to be produced from a family, it would be better for an old person who would die soon to become a mudang instead of a young person who subject had many years left to live.

[@feloniousbutterfly]

Are there many 'trans/nonbinary' people in this group? to use rather western terminology?

[@chocoquark4831]

This sounds like an old way to describe psychosis.

[@GringoCurt]

Although most may not like the way he carries himself, Dr. Ammon Hillman certainly maintains a scientific approach to ancient Greek translations. I wouldnot recommend his channel to most, because he seems a bit off the wall. However, his scientific approach reveals data that should be analysed by a person with your background. I think that the DATA he brings to the table might help you to paint an even more detailed picture for you and your audience. Thanks for being you Jon. I always look forward to Saturday because of your uploads.

[@Baptized_in_Fire.]

Agreed

[@stevenhuntley8706]

I would tack on, everything he says he can back up, which is more than i can say for a lot of people.

[@Aleks.Markov]

Ammon is the man.

[@GringoCurt]

@@Aleks.Markov I totally agree! He's a world-changer. I watch everything he does. He was recently interviewed by a scientist. They were discussing how AI programs could eventually simulate potions by virtually combining the ingredients that Dr. Ammon has translated from Galin. That would be very interesting, while still being ethically noncontroversial.

Dr. Ammon Hillman's scholarship is impeccable. His Philologist skills are incomparable. His non-apologetic honesty is thrilling. And obviously not profitable. As he deals with many of the taboo textual issues. Such as sacred sex and hallucinogenics and non-heterosexuality and even pederasty? And he makes it all lots of fun if you can follow along. Which he works hard to help us do. His persona is like Jack Karouac or other "Beats" from the 195O's. As he is a bit wild and crazy and kind of Dionysian and very in the moment. But always brilliant and always fun. So check the Doctor out at his" LadyBabylon" right here on KZbin.💙

[@kholsinger]

Good afternoon, Crecganford. 11:35 Did I hear you correctly in that you said shamanism doesn't exist in Africa? Does that mean I should just skip the Africa-section of my 2-volume encyclopedia of global shamanism? Admittedly, its descriptions of "shamanic" practices were so all-over-the-place that I finished the encyclopedia having LESS of an idea of what shamanism was than when I began. So I'm open to the idea of no African shamans. I just need some clarification. Best to you and your loved ones.

[@Crecganford]

Ontology shows there is no Shamanism in Africa, and where it is it has been placed within that scope due to very loose definitions of shamanism. But in the strictest sense, it is a later evolution of belief, and that's really at the root of what I was trying to say.

[@kholsinger]

@@Crecganford Thanks for the clarification.

[@DemiGod-j9h]

In the same breath the entire world was taught magic. Druid , magi , shaman , warlock, witch, magus, etc. Is technically the same thing even though some do things differently.. to do an act and get a result is magic itself . The world shares all accomplishments ❤❤❤❤❤ then we'll realize the world has been scammed by the same architect. The Philippines and China's magic mirrors by thousands of miles of separation. This is why we share the same ancient gods characterteristics too

[@lupindeweir]

Like #13. Good thing that I'm not a Templar.

[@nyrdybyrd1702]

Likely story, Baphomet lover.

[@panagiotisloukas3064]

It's always great to learn about THE EMPEROR 's forefathers.

[@feloniousbutterfly]

I'm not sure why it's so hard to grasp that core concepts-- core instincts in humans can be rooted in the same fundamentals while also having wide-ranging differences in practices and traditions. Human dialects can differ from town to town; why is it so outlandish to believe that other human practices arent rooted in the same beliefs but take on new forms with different groups of people based on their own cultural needs, tastes and natural surroundings? I guess it all depends on what we define as 'shamanism', which I'm not sure we'll ever come to a consensus on.

[@thousandreasonswhynot]

Okay I finished the video and wanted to comment again! At the beginning when you first brought up Mircea eliade (sp?) I was a little nervous because of certain spiritual corners of the internet I have intentionally moved away from, that use those books as the justification for all sorts of interesting conspiracy theories about our "true history" 😂 I'm glad that you didn't disappoint, yet again, in giving a comprehensive and educational view of the subject that actually makes sense. Thanks for the rationality ❤

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@WickedFelina]

1st thing I thought when I saw the guy lying down - was that he was dead. I think the bird hit him in the head. Didn't mean to. He was just flying drunk.

[@Crecganford]

I laughed way to hard at that!

[@DorchesterMom]

I think what people fail to consider is that humans also sometime just like silly hats, to dress up, express themselves in fun or expressive ways. My teenager went through a frog hat phase for instance. I’m mostly kidding, but, sometimes the explanation is the simplest one.

[@feloniousbutterfly]

I used to think this and over time found it was connected to my personal 'animist spiritualism'. I think ultimately donning a mask/wearing a costume/associating yourself with animal features is both good, innocent fun and a form of spiritual expression.

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

Hey! I could definitely get BEHIND a silly hat! But only the "right" silly hat! Because, if it's wrong, THEN....

[@WaterholeExchange]

I have understood shamans to be the early day mystics. Enlightened people revered within their groups because of their wisdom and experience with the other world. A book, Wizard of the upper Amazon, is a persons experience of being kidnapped and assimilated into the tribe with the use of Ayahuasca. The ability to transcend language to understand each other, and furthermore to experience through the eyes of animals which they encounter, which was a way to learn about the animals which where the apex predator and could not be viewed in action with their own eyes because of the immediate danger of doing so. The Shamans were well respected teachers and healers of what we would deem today 'the occult'.

[@JaneB1]

A drum is carried by Shiva, who is also associated with animals. Ditto re a possible precusor from the older Indus Valley civilization. Drums are 'shamanic,' used to achieve a trance state and to enter altered reality. Shiva, the Adiguru, is the root guru for Indian yogic teachings, and can be dated before the Pleistocene, using the now widely-accepted dates of 'The Historic Rama,' by Niiesh Nilkanth Oak. After reading that book, it seems reasonable not to dismiss Indian written records, including math and astronomy, that Shiva dates even farther back to the Sattva yuga. The Yoga sutras of Patanjali are quite specific. There are eight steps to samadhi (expanded consciousness) and one of the manifestations along the way is vibhutis (magical powers and manifestation of phenomena). There are also rituals and techniques and sound mantras, and great respect for forest academies and daily observance of the Dhuni fire. That all seems so shamanic that maybe there are links to follow back deeper into the past. Sri M, a yogi so highly regarded in India that he was awarded the padma bhushan, the highest civilian award given by the government, is in a line of gurus which goes back to Adiguru Shiva. If all of this holds together, in YT videos by Sri M, one might be looking at a modern representative of aspects of an ancient, possibly worldwide shamanic tradition.

[@Valdagast]

The evidence for a Maya-China continuum reminds of those who think there's some special meaning behind every civilization's use of pyramids. How else would you pile up a lot of rocks?

[@Toxicpoolofreekingmascul-lj4yd]

Depends how high you want to go and your building technique and material.

[@henchy3rd]

I believe the Dogon tribe of Mali, West Africa would make a good video.

[@Dude0413]

I’m usually strongly against ai thumbnails but this one was very cool

[@igorscot4971]

An interesting video, puzzling, but a good video since it made me think. Are "therians" linked to Shamanism or is it merely a "modern" invention?

[@Crecganford]

It looks like a more modern invention, but it is complex and this video was to get people to start line of exploring shamanism and to understand it isn't an easy topic to research.

[@elinope4745]

Other things not mentioned. They get a spirit animal at level 2 or 3 and their spells are a blend of spells found on the druid and witch classes.

[@gaoth88]

Came to find this

[@smillstill]

This is the video game or RPG?

[@elinope4745]

@@smillstill ye, dumb joke I expected to see and didn't. So I did, because it belonged here

[@DoloresJNurss]

In that first picture, I don't see a man laying down in ecstasy, I see a man knocked down by some kind of bovine (Bull? Yak? Auroch?) The animal has his head lowered in a butting position. The duck on a stick might be a name, saying whose death is being honored here - or perhaps held up as a cautionary tale ("Whatever you do, young'uns, don't approach the animal from the front like poor ol' Mr. Duckstick did!")

[@georgeoldsterd8994]

I'm currently reading a Russian historic lo-fantasy novel called The Heart of Parma (not exact translation). It's set in the 16th century, in the modern day Perm region. The story follows the (Muscovy) Russian prince Michael, who inherits the Cherdyn Principality, one of the polities in the Perm region. Perm in the 16th century was shamanistic, so Michael has to mediate between Christians - who are his own people - and the local "pagans", who are the people of his wife. Not sure how historically accurate the depiction of shamans here is, but it's still interesting stuff, and the author apparently did quite a research into the region's history when writing the novel. Also, about shamans. I've read that in some cultures it's believed that a shaman is chosen by spirits, so not just anyone can become one. Basically, you have to enter a special state, and if you survive, you will be deemed eligible to become a shaman. Also, in Romanian folklore there are characters called Solomonari\ Zgrimintziesh who are generally described as wizards that ride dragons and can control weather and heal or curse people with diseases. What's curious is that their description has some common traits with shamans in that one cannot simply become a Solomonar, instead having to be born with specific traits, which would make them eligible for training.

[@cecilnewson8876]

I too would like to see more on the slavic pantheon. I'd also like to see you comment on Black Elk.

[@aariley2]

How do you know that the wheels aren't drums, but shields.

[@NCCorruption]

You are either born with the Platonic Mania or your not, sorry folks but that's just the way it is.

[@KedgeDragon]

Technicians of the Sacred - Jerome Rothenberg - opened some windows for me.

[@remivreugdenhil2042]

How do you square this with Michael Witzel’s thesis on the origin of the world’s mythologies and the abundance of evidence he presents for the many clearly shamanistic elements in Laurasian mythology? Isn’t that enough proof for the existence of shamanism going back at least to the beginning of Laurasian mythology around 40.000 years ago?

[@Crecganford]

And this comes down to how you define shamanism, if it is loosely then you end up with Witzel's model, if it is strict then you end up with a modern invention.

[@remivreugdenhil2042]

@@Crecganford thanks Jon! I appreciate it so much that you always reply to comments. You and your videos are awesome and a huge source of inspiration and information for me👍

[@GrandmaTurtle]

So appreciate your straight forward delivery

[@dianetheone4059]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@alinaanto]

I have great respect for your work and I am grateful for your videos every single one! Just a minor note: The way you pronounce Mircea Eliade - you got Eliade right, but Mircea sounds more like Mir-cha ( like the dance cha cha)

[@Crecganford]

Yes, you’re right, although I did get Eliade wrong on the first attempt in this video as well.

[@JM-The_Curious]

In times when humans were spread very thin and life had so much risk in it, it wouldn't be logical to have a single person carry all the knowledge or skill in a particular topic. That level of specialisation wouldn't have existed 40,000 or 20,000 years ago. If the knowledge is important you need to spread it among the group members, surely?

[@Crecganford]

Yes, I think any hierarchical structure was much flatter the further back you go.

[@TheDanEdwards]

What is it with myth/religion KZbinrs who use generative AI to generate electric-blue eyed, ultra-masculine, handsome male characters for their thumbnails?

[@Crecganford]

Perhaps it's a cult?

[@conlethberry1236]

Maybe I missed it but if shamanism is relatively recent, is there any connecion between the shamans of Finland / Siberia etc and South America?

[@Crecganford]

It is evidence of shamanism that is lacking, and how we define it. I will make another video diving deeper on the subject, but I wanted to create as video to make people think and I hope I have done that.

[@DorchesterMom]

Thanks Jon 😊💕

[@VijaySuryaAditya]

First😊

[@alexandreavon]

If shamanism was as late as Bronze age, how could it reach the Americas? Particularly southern America?

[@Crecganford]

Did it "reach" America, or was it just a way people there decided to practice religion?

[@ThorsShadow]

It didn't need to "reach" anything. Shamanism isn't an organized religion like Christianity. It's a way for the people at the time to practice their beliefs and their understanding of the world. Call them shamans, call them druids. Their function within a tribe was practically the same and as such it makes sense for a person with a function akin to that of a shaman or druid to be present on different continents.

[@alexandreavon]

@@Crecganford No matter how you see it or call it, it was not invented similar ways everywhere in the world. Shamanism had to invented somewhere to spread all around.

[@Toxicpoolofreekingmascul-lj4yd]

Agriculture arose independently at least 3 different times. Ideas can occur to different people at different times in different places with no connection.

[@alexandreavon]

@@Toxicpoolofreekingmascul-lj4yd There is no alternative to agriculture for improving plant production after rationalisation of collecting. Thus, it had to be invented sooner or later, no matter where. There are alternatives to shamanism for hunting.

[@flingonber]

I really enjoy your videos, but I have to say that the reasoning in this one seems circular to me. It all depends on how you define shamanism, and there isn't really a clear definition. If you define it in terms of the rituals and practices of Siberia, then of course it's not much of a leap to say it originated in Siberia. That seemed like how you were defining it, although I don't think you clearly stated that or provided any definition at all for that matter. How can you say "This depicts shamanism" or "There isn't enough evidence that this depicts shamanism" if you don't have a functional definition of what shamanism is?

[@Crecganford]

Yes, this was just an entry point to a much deeper conversation. The main point of this is that shamanism seems quite a young religious concept.

[@flingonber]

@@Crecganford I totally agree with that, I think of it a lot like the term "Hinduism", in the sense that both are used as umbrella terms for a wide range of belief systems that may or may not be connected but that seemed similar to Western observers.

[@aariley2]

I think to claim one way or the other is a desperate plea for people who need to publish things to still be seen as viable in the academic setting. Take the concept that God is neither male or female and formless. The Bible says this then later falsely claim God is a man. Similar motions of a formless God in Hinduism and Buddhism. If something has no form and you are trying to reach it, how can you possibly draw it!?!

[@williamallen2777]

You won't find this on Google but the Peruvians don't pronounce it Shae man". The first part is short, closer to CH than SH. Followed by an aw not an A. So chaw. And the last part also has an aw not an amazing. So spelled out maybe chaw mawn. Meaning spirt man, or healing man. A man connected to nature in a way that can help you heal

[@judewarner1536]

Regarding academics and rock art: show a picture to a group of 50 aspiring or practised writers and ask them to write the story of the picture. You will get 50 different stories. All of them could be true, but none of them are factual. Again, IMO, rock art is most probably, typically, a form of sympathetic magic and shamanism is but one aspect of sympathetic magic. Sympathetic magic continues in the world in the form of, eg voodoo curses and "knock on wood", and, arguably modern structured religions; a belief in the unbelievable and the unproveable. Quantum physics, Einsteins hated "spooky action at a distance" is, in my view, an example of, and an explanation of sympathetic magic: the map IS the terrain; the medium IS the message; as above, so below.

[@remivreugdenhil2042]

Bedankt

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much for your support, it is very much appreciated.

[@cavemancaveman5190]

Finally I can comment Shamanism is based in nightmare. Psychoactive stuff grants us with nightmares while awake. Understanding nightmares won't be found while lies are all we can tell.

[@deepashtray5605]

Any consideration for the role psychosis would have contributed to the creation of paleolithic art?

[@Jar.in.a.Bottle]

One of my very favorite channels. Thank you for educating us by way of far more exact truths on these matters given to us for our benefit. Excellently done and Bravo for sharing your vast knowledge, in great detail, to all of us.❤

[@nicky640]

Since shamanism is alive nowadays with shamans actively practicing, I find it a bit odd to consider it a mystery. You can literally travel the world to learn multiple forms of shamanism and when you do, you'll see that their practices are so similar that the only reason that they're different is the context of the living environment and to some extent the values of the local culture.

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

Cave art, is really no different, from many other art and depictions, that prove ambiguous and subjective of the highest nature, when the artists themselves are no longer around to offer any insight into the meaning(s) of their work. It is entirely open unto interpretation then, and thusly, it can only be understood as solely opinion opposed to purely or analogous unto fact(s), or factual. It is all a matter of bein one's own interpretation at this/that point, unfortunately/fortunately! So the need to dig further (or to look elsewhere), becomes imperative...at least in terms...and, in the context of this very particular subject. Cave art, bein' rather nice and fun to ponder of its connectedness, is the mean to its ends at this point unfortunately, as, it is open, to a million and one different interpretations. So, yeah! Haha!! ;) :o)

[@Hendrixes]

there is a vast shamanic tradition in the andes that may date some 1000 - 1500 years, they too had many ways to induce trance, the point was to atune to the universal origin of everything.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I was going to be a shaman. But I couldn't find someone to sponsor me into the union. The federation of shaman is a pretty strong union, so a lot of people want to join.

[@chocoquark4831]

It really depends on the definition of shamanism. If it means beeting a drum and dance until trance, then the question is when was the drum invented. I associate it more with the stories from greenland. The drum beets itself as symbol the shaman is on the way to the otherworld. But i can imagine, these stories originated in old siberia.

[@megalithicmaiden]

It wouldn't have to be a drum. Could be anything that produces sound, like stone to stone.

[@iiiixlure]

Please, can you explain Islam and its origins? 

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Hello again, Jon White.

Are their no modern shamans who could help us understand their history and their world? 💙

[@gaoth88]

Unless you have written sources or artwork, it is only what vocal history is passed on, and how much of it is diluted and changed through time and other influences.

[@abigailseden8821]

What if a shaman is actually a type of person which emerges in humanity regardless of training and ritual practice? What if they are a genomic archetype which emerges organically, serving as one which questions assumptions and sees/sits outside the cultural narrative and activities in order to provide perspective and solutions to problems in the present paradigms? Who are the shamans in modern Western culture, for instance? Are they still present? Our seekers & questioners, spiritual practitioners, experimenters with consciousness, etc?

[@rkoff5744]

@@abigailseden8821 Yes! Exactly!

[@walkswithwings7780]

I can tell you that my personal history as a human being has led me to believe exactly what you have said here. I believe that any given population will give rise to a person of spirit eventually in order to intervene between the spirit and that population they are born into.

[@abigailseden8821]

@@walkswithwings7780 From my experience, it does seem to be a feature or function that keeps presenting.