Thank you for sharing this information….it is all probably important for your own personal pursuit of knowledge and understanding. As you delve more and more into the research, you will find that it becomes even more confusing….all those in the act trying to come up with a more defined term or definition of the phenomena….in some ways it boils down to semantics. A considerable number of earlier anthropologists came up with sometimes different and at other times, similar definitions….and used specific functions and roles of certain native people in the tribal culture….and in so doing indicated that there were, indeed, different degrees, levels, and characteristics of those they identified as „shamans”, per se. For example, some were in the medico-religious role and function, some more into psychotherapy, some were the original holistic health practitioners, some were purely doctors specializing in physical pain and illness…..and the list goes on. „Ceremonial leaders, ritual performers, and the like were not considered shamans according to the generic term. And so the argument goes on….especially when Native people who really don’t understand the definition, meaning, and purpose of the term shaman…even when used in a generic way….do get defensive, and understandably so, because some New Agers are, indeed, self proclaimed, without any proper training, knowledge, guidance, evaluation, and endorsement or legitimate recognition. And many tribes and cultures….ancient and contemporary…all had their ways and systems of training, testing, evaluation, and recognition. And yes….some shamans (according to the more generic definition)….were also sorcerers. Thus many of our contemporary Native Elders, Indian doctors, medicine men/women, sprititual teachers and leaders, and religious/ceremonial leaders do not like to be identified or stereotyped with the current term…..But the bottom line is the fact that we all must come to some kind of agreement as to who qualifies as a shaman, what is this person’s actual role and function within the tribal, non-tribal culture and/or community….of what value are they in contemporary times, how much power and knowledge do they actually have….who qualified and recognizes them/…etc. etc.

Bobby

„WE DO NOT HAVE SHAMANS”
„SHAMANISM: IT AIN’T NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGION!”
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/awakening101/not_shamans.html