shaman

Thân thiện

A shaman chants softly while sitting beside a patient in a tent.

Definition

Noun: * A person, in a society that practices shamanism, who acts as an intermediary between the visible, physical world and the invisible spirit world. A shaman is believed to have the ability to communicate with spirits, often entering a trance state, and uses this connection for purposes such as healing, divination (seeing the future or gaining hidden knowledge), and guiding the community.

Usage Examples

• The village shaman performed a ritual to heal the sick child.
• In many indigenous cultures, the shaman is a respected spiritual leader and healer.
• She studied the practices of a shaman who used chants and drumming to enter a trance.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically in modern contexts to describe someone with perceived deep, almost mystical, knowledge or healing ability in a particular field.
  • The old mechanic was a shaman of vintage car engines.

Variants and Related Words

• Shamanic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a shaman or shamanism.
  • They studied shamanic rituals.
• Shamanism (noun): The practice, religion, or worldview associated with shamans.
  • The anthropology course included a module on Siberian shamanism.

Synonyms

• Medicine man / medicine woman
• Spiritual healer
• Sorcerer (specifically one who uses power for healing or divination)
• Seer

Related Idioms & Phrases

• Shamanic journey: A trance-like state, often induced by drumming or chanting, in which a shaman's spirit is believed to travel to other worlds.
  • The shamanic journey is a core practice for seeking guidance from the spirit world.

Học thuật

Noun

1. in societies practicing shamanism: one acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds; practices sorcery for healing or divination

Từ đồng nghĩa

• priest-doctor