Historical Dictionary of Shamanism

by Graham Harvey, Robert J. Wallis

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442257979
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/12/2015
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Editor's Foreword Jon Woronoff Preface Acronyms and Abbreviations Chronology Introduction THE DICTIONARY Bibliography About the Authors

Editorial 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, and—unusual for a work structured as a dictionary—the 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

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, and—unusual for a work structured as a dictionary—the 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

Harvey (religious studies, Open U., Britain) and Wallis (visual culture and art history, Richmond U., London) encompass broad chronological and geographical scopes, but tend to focus on cultures and places in which shamanism has been and often continues to be particularly prevalent. Their topics include shamans and scholars of shamanism, places, totems and other artifacts, concepts, methods, peoples and cultures, and other aspects....well cross-referenced.

Reference and Research Book News

This book is an excellent reference resource...

March 2008 American Reference Books Annual

Harvey (religious studies, Open U., Britain) and Wallis (visual culture and art history, Richmond U., London) encompass broad chronological and geographical scopes, but tend to focus on cultures and places in which shamanism has been and often continues to be particularly prevalent. Their topics include shamans and scholars of shamanism, places, totems and other artifacts, concepts, methods, peoples and cultures, and other aspects....well cross-referenced.

May 2007 Reference and Research Book News

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