Historical Dictionary of Shamanism

(Hardback, Second Edition)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A remarkable array of people have been called shamans, while the phenomena identified as shamanism continues to proliferate. This second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Shamanism contains with examples from antiquity up to today, and from Siberia (where the term shaman originated) to Amazonia, South Africa, Chicago and many other places. Many claims about shamans and shamanism are contentious and all are worthy of discussion. In the most widespread understandings, terms seem to refer particularly to people who alter states of consciousness or enter trances in order to seek knowledge and help from powerful other-than-human persons, perhaps spirits. But this says only a little about the artists, community leaders, spiritual healers or hucksters, travelers in alternative realities and so on to which the label shaman has been applied. This second edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and extensive bibliography. The dictionary contains over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on individuals, groups, practices and cultures that have been called shamanic. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Shamanism.

Reviews

Harvey and Wallis make a high-quality contribution to the study of shamanism in updating their 2007 edition. Deftly addressing inherent problems in defining the scope of the study of shamanism, this reference work proceeds to admit any and all phenomena that may have been called shamanism, including neo-shamanism and scholarly conversations about shamanism. The dictionary provides a succinct snapshot of the current state of knowledge of, and theories about, shamans and shamanic practices, directly addressing and acknowledging the many controversies surrounding the topic. As the authors clearly intend, the work is as revealing about the agendas and nature of academic discourse as it is about the people, cultures, traditions, and practices that have been identified with shamanism. The introduction is clear and insightful, andunusual for a work structured as a dictionarythe book can be read straight through as a skillful summary of the field of shamanism studies. Its nearly 90-page annotated bibliography is invaluable, covering academic resources alongside works intended for practitioners and their communities. The bibliographic essay is an exemplar of the cogent, stand-alone literature review. * CHOICE *
In this second edition of the dictionary, Harvey and Wallis continue to challenge a western-centric approach to both a global and localized historical movement. . . .The brevity of each entry allows for a breadth of coverage, spanning continents, cultures, and history. Perhaps most impressive about this updated edition is the extensive bibliography, spanning nearly 100 pages in length, delineated by regions and themes. . . .What Harvey and Wallis have accomplished in this updated edition is to show how that identity continues to transform and elude a reductionist characterization. * American Reference Books Annual *

Author Bio

Graham Harvey is Professor and Head of Department of Religious Studies at the Open University, UK. His research largely engages with the performances and rhetorics of religion among indigenous peoples, Pagans and Jews but also seeks improved understanding of everyday relational religioning. Robert J. Wallis is Professor of Visual Culture, Associate Dean of MA Programs, and Convenor of the MA in Art History and Visual Culture at Richmond University, the American International University in London. His research engages with prehistoric and indigenous art and religion, and the ways in which people reproduce, reinterpret and make claims to prehistoric art and religion today.