What is shamanism and where is it practiced?

The answer

Shamanism refers to practices in which a specialist (shaman) enters altered states of consciousness to interact with the spirit world for purposes of healing, divination, and guiding the dead. Remarkably similar traditions exist in Siberian Tungus communities (where the term originates), among Native American peoples, in West African traditions, Korean mudang practices, Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies, and Australian Aboriginal culture. Shamans typically undergo a rigorous initiation involving illness, isolation, or visionary experiences. They use rhythmic drumming, chanting, fasting, or psychoactive plants to achieve trance states. Archaeological evidence, including cave paintings at Lascaux and Les Trois-Freres depicting human-animal hybrid figures, suggests shamanic practices may date back at least 30,000 years, making them among the oldest spiritual traditions.