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Article: A shaman's ritual songs.(RESEARCH MATERIAL)
- Article from:
- Asian Folklore Studies
- Article date:
- October 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Asian Folklore Studies. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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EDITOR'S INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In the summer 0f 2002 in a village in the grassland of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, the shaman Who had prepared her disciple to become a new shaman had invited me to attend his initiation ritual. However, she did not conduct the main part of the ceremony herself. Instead, she had asked a "more powerful and experienced shaman," in her words, to act as the main ritualist. By the time this shaman arrived at the candidate's house, the main preparations for the ritual were finished.
When this shaman arrived, surrounded by her assistant, several other shamans and disciples, she impressed me as a dignified woman, having something of an ...