Description
Shamanism...
what is it? Is it a phenomenon with a clear definition or with a set
of clearly definable attributes? Has the phenomenon changed over time,
or are today's versions found in suburban basements the same as those
that were practiced hundreds of years ago by various tribal people?
What can we figure out about shamanism if we simply look at the term
itself and how it has been employed over time? What if we restrict ourselves
to one geographic location? These are some of the questions grappled
with, and partially answered, in this book. By discussing the historical
use of the terms shamanism and shaman in North America, Peter N. Jones
offers fresh insights into the history of this phenomenon. Comparing
current understandings and descriptions of the phenomenon with those
of the historical and archival record, Shamans and Shamanism
presents a comprehensive analysis of the terms use over time. Included
in the book is a comprehensive bibliography of the term's use in North
America. Shamans and Shamanism is an important resource for
anyone interested in this phenomenon. It provides new insights into
the history of the terms, their use in both academic and pop literature,
and offers a starting point for future investigations of the phenomenon.
