Shamanism in North America

by Norman Bancroft Hunt

Native Americans believed that it was their responsibility to maintain harmony in the natural world on which they depended by performing a variety of rituals. Shamans were credited with exceptional powers to act on behalf of the community. They claimed to be capable of separating their spirits from their bodies and interceding with those spirits that controlled the many forces of nature. Having studied the subject at first hand during his many visits to American tribes, Dr. Norman Bancroft Hunt sets out the richly rewarding results of his research in this survey of shamanic traditions and practices in various Native American groups. Shamanism in North America is profusely illustrated with the most remarkable masks, effigies, and implements used by shamans and includes evocative images of the often harsh wilderness inhabited by the tribes under discussion, as well as some revealing historical photographs of shamans.

Genres: Spirituality, Anthropology

1000 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2002

About the author

Graduated from Kingston School of Art in 1968. He was elected fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute in 1975 and is currently a lecturer and researcher in visual theory and cultural studies at the Kent Institute of Art and Design. He is the author of numerous books on Native American art and culture, including Historical Atlas of Ancient America, from Facts On File/Checkmark Books, and the award-winning People of the Totem"

Reviews

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took almost a year, buy I finally finished. Interesting, but not fascinating. The view was too broad for my taste. Perhaps I should have read a book about shamanism that studied one culture in detail instead of several cultures generally.

[Amy Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive overview of North American tribal shamans with many pictures. A dense read, but full of good information.