shamanism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Anthropological, Religious Studies
Quick answer
What does “shamanism” mean?
A spiritual practice involving a practitioner (shaman) who interacts with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, often for healing, divination, or guiding the community.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spiritual practice involving a practitioner (shaman) who interacts with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, often for healing, divination, or guiding the community.
Any system of belief or practice that involves connecting with spiritual forces through ecstatic states, trance, or ritual, sometimes used metaphorically to describe practices that bridge different realms of knowledge or experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to appear in academic or New Age contexts in the UK; in the US, it may also appear in discussions of Native American or alternative spiritual practices.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with a slight increase in American usage due to broader discussion of indigenous cultures.
Grammar
How to Use “shamanism” in a Sentence
[subject] practises shamanismshamanism [verb] involvesshamanism in [location]the [adjective] shamanism of [group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shamanism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – 'shamanism' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A – 'shamanism' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – There is no direct adverb form. One might say 'in a shamanic manner'.
American English
- N/A – There is no direct adverb form. One might say 'in a shamanistic fashion'.
adjective
British English
- The shamanic rituals were deeply tied to the local ecology.
- He explored shamanistic healing techniques.
American English
- Her research focused on shamanic journeying practices.
- They attended a workshop on shamanistic drumming.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'His leadership style had a touch of corporate shamanism, trying to intuit market shifts.'
Academic
Common in anthropology, religious studies, and history: 'The paper examines the role of shamanism in pre-colonial Siberian societies.'
Everyday
Uncommon, may appear in discussions of spirituality or travel: 'She went to Mongolia to learn about shamanism.'
Technical
Specific in anthropology: 'Shamanism is characterised by the practitioner's ability to enter a trance state to commune with spirits.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shamanism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shamanism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shamanism”
- Misspelling as 'shamanistism' or 'shamanizm'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He shamans'). The correct verb is 'to practise as a shaman' or 'to perform shamanic rituals'.
- Over-generalising to any non-institutional spiritual practice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is more accurately described as a spiritual practice or technique often embedded within larger religious or cultural systems, rather than a standalone religion with a fixed doctrine.
The term and specific practices are historically linked to the Tungusic peoples of Siberia. However, similar practices exist globally, leading to debates about universal patterns versus cultural diffusion.
A shaman typically gains authority through direct personal spiritual experience and ecstatic states, while a priest's authority often comes from an institution, tradition, or ordination within an established religious hierarchy.
No. Neo-shamanism is a modern, often Western, adaptation that draws inspiration from various indigenous traditions but is typically divorced from its original cultural context and community functions.
A spiritual practice involving a practitioner (shaman) who interacts with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, often for healing, divination, or guiding the community.
Shamanism is usually formal, academic, anthropological, religious studies in register.
Shamanism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːmənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːmənɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a shamanistic journey”
- “walk between worlds”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHAman = SHAres a connection with the MAn and spirit world; ISM = a belief system.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUAL REALM IS A LANDSCAPE TO TRAVEL; HEALING IS A JOURNEY; THE SHAMAN IS A BRIDGE.
Practice
Quiz
Shamanism is primarily characterised by: