Siberian & Mongolian Shamanism

From the Lesson

Siberia is the heartland of shamanism—indeed, the word "shaman" comes from the Tungusic languages of Siberia. Here, in the vast forests and steppes, shamanic practices have continued for millennia.

The Shaman's Calling:

One does not choose to become a shaman; one is chosen. The calling typically comes through:

Shamanic Illness: A severe crisis, often involving near-death, madness, or unexplained disease. The spirits are dismembering the old self.

Hereditary Transmission: Shamanic power passes through family lines, often skipping generations.

Signs and Visions: Dreams, encounters with spirits, unusual events from childhood.

The Initiation:

The shamanic initiation involves:

- Death of the old self - Journey to spirit realms - Dismemberment by spirits - Receiving new organs/bones (often visualized as crystalline) - Reassembly as a new being - Return with power to help others

This is not metaphor but actual experience, often lasting weeks or months.

The Spirit World:

Siberian shamans navigate a cosmos of three levels:

Upper World: Realm of sky spirits, celestial beings, the sun and stars Middle World: The spirit dimension of ordinary reality Lower World: Realm of ancestral spirits, animal powers, the dead

The World Tree (or World Mountain) connects all levels. The shaman travels via this axis.

Shamanic Tools:

The Drum: The shaman's "horse" for traveling between worlds. The rhythmic beat induces trance.

Costume: Laden with symbolic objects—metal discs representing bones, ribbons for spirits, animal parts for powers.

Spirit Helpers: Animal and ancestral spirits who assist the shaman's work.

The Shaman's Work:

- Healing illness by retrieving lost souls or extracting intrusions - Guiding the dead to their proper realm - Divination and prophecy - Ensuring successful hunts - Weather working - Protecting the community from harmful spirits

Tengri — The Eternal Blue Sky:

Underlying Mongolian shamanism is Tengri, the Eternal Blue Sky—the supreme celestial power. Beneath Tengri are countless nature spirits (ongod) inhabiting every feature of the landscape.

Living Traditions:

Despite Soviet persecution, Siberian shamanism survived underground and is now openly practiced. In Mongolia, shamanism coexists with Buddhism. These traditions offer direct spirit contact unmediated by doctrine—raw and powerful.