| Shamanism is big in most Native American cultures. It | | | | What Happens During Shamanism? |
| serves a great function within the tribes and it has | | | | When practicing shamanism, one enters an altered |
| even begun making a way into more modern cultures | | | | mental state. This is done to aid in spiritual |
| recently. The Shaman is often considered to be like a | | | | communication. Shamans have a very important |
| median between our world and the spiritual world. | | | | function within the tribe. They perform spiritual and |
| They are able to use this power to gain knowledge | | | | physical healing with ceremonies when they enter the |
| and wisdom for helping people here in this world. | | | | spiritual state. This is used to heal members of the |
| You may already know that drums play an important | | | | tribe and keep them healthy both mentally and |
| role in the Native American culture. You probably also | | | | physically. |
| know that there are many different types of Native | | | | The altered state that a shaman enters when he |
| American drums and each one has its own special, | | | | performs the ritual is called a shamanic journey. This |
| unique purpose. The Shaman drum is part of many | | | | shamanic journey is used to give the shaman wisdom |
| Native American cultures. To understand this and | | | | and help from the spirits. The shaman feels he is |
| how it works, you need to understand Shamanism | | | | actually going someplace when he gains the |
| and how it was used in many Native American | | | | assistance of the healing spirits, which is why it is |
| societies. W | | | | referred to as a journey. |
| What is Shamanism? | | | | What are Shaman Drums? |
| Shamanism is a highly spiritual experience and not | | | | Shaman drums are an important part of shamanism. |
| easy to understand if you have not seen the | | | | The drum is the horse that the Shaman rides into |
| practice or studied a lot about it. Shamanism is | | | | other realms with. Usually the Shaman drum is a hand |
| defined as an ancient form of spiritual communication. | | | | drum since these are much easier to manipulate |
| It is believed to be tens of thousands of years old | | | | during the process. The Shaman drum is played by |
| and has been used by many Native American tribes | | | | beating with a soft mallet to create a soothing, |
| throughout history. | | | | monotone beat. Sometimes rattles are also used |
| The Shaman in a tribe is like the doctor or healer. | | | | along with the Shaman drum to further create the |
| People would visit him when they had a physical or | | | | soothing sound and atmosphere. |
| mental problem they were facing that they were | | | | The drum has an important purpose all the way |
| unable to get rid of on their own. Shamans typically | | | | down to each detail such as symbols or painting on |
| use drums and rattles to achieve an altered state of | | | | the drum. The painting on Shaman drums is usually a |
| consciousness and enter their spiritual state. There | | | | "map of the universe" or spiritual power of some |
| have been Shamans in many different tribes all over | | | | sort. Shaman drums kept for decoration should be |
| the country that practiced Shamanism. | | | | respected for their wonderful power and use. |