> Are most eventual shamans identified by existing shamans at a young
> age (while still just spiritists), and so only become practioners of
> the "shamanic" spirit, or do most become practioners of some other
> spirit first, decide that they are pulled to the route of a shaman,
> then try to find out if they have the right stuff, take on the
> practice of the shamanic cult, etc.
>
Apparently, among the Siberian shamanic cultures, the potential shamans were identified by some major traumatic event in their childhood (death of parents, being lost in the wilderness for a while, etc.). After that event, they were somehow 'different' and went on to become shamans.
On the other hand, the same source also mentions that most new shamans are relatives of the old one and, when there aren't any young relatives, other children are found who have had such traumas. So it seems that the definition of a 'traumatic event' is flexible.
Neil.
Neil Smith Milton Keynes Roleplaying Club neil_at_... http://www.mkrpg.org.ukhttp://home.freeuk.net/wimp/ Honorary Life Member www.SADWargamers.com
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