Neo-Shamanisms

Neo-shamanisms are new religious movements that are part of neo-paganism, inspired by worldviews and techniques of non-Western tribal peoples [Page 881]from different parts of the world. These shamanist elements are adapted and changed to the context of modern, urban Western life. Notions and techniques have been appropriated mainly from Siberian, Native American, South American, and Scandinavian indigenous shamanic traditions. Neo-shamanistic adepts are very eclectic and are inspired by very different manifestations, which justifies the speaking of neo-shamanisms. Meeting modern urban needs, they have been adapted to individual needs and psychologized by reformulating traditional worldviews and methods in modern terms. The “darker” sides of traditional shamanism, such as fights with dangerous spirits, have hardly been adopted in neo-shamanism.

Neo-shamanism has been greatly influenced by two anthropologists. The ...