Songs of Shaman

Domain:Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe

State:

Description:

Shamans have important functions in clan-life of different tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, a shaman is mostly seen as a diviner, communicator, negotiator, healer, ritual specialist, and religious expert (but not as a magician or a mystic). The shaman is a negotiator between humans and spirits and can communicate with the latter on the behalf. of the former. The Tani people as believers in the existence of spirits, need shamans as human specialists to gain access to the spirit world. Each clan has important religious specialists who can initiate and foster contact with spirits and divinities. They possess the power to invoke the blessings of the spirirts, and their support and protection against evil. They are even believed to have the power to communicate with the spirits and cause people to become sick. The shamans placate the spirits to bring prosperity and health to the members of the clan. Shamans are also the store house of traditional knowledge in the form of legends, myths and ritual incantations. They are well versed in ritual performances, and the knowledge and wisdom associated with it. Shamanism is prevalent among different tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Every tribe in Arunachal Pradesh has its own kind of ritual expert for performing rites and sacrifices. Tani people, who trace their ancestry to Abo Tani, believe that the antiquity of Shamanism is as old as the emergence of humankind. The Buddhist tribes of Arunachal Pradesh despite having Buddhist religious priests or Lamas, also have indigenous priests whose services are employed during special occasions. Other tribes like Wancho, Nocte and Tangsa also have indigenous priests to perform their rituals.