Shamanism. (AI)

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Shamanism a norm among primitives, hunter gatherers and many pastoralists? Yes, that is a highly accurate characterization. In anthropological terms, shamanism is indeed the norm—the dominant and often institutionalized religious or healing practice—among many hunter-gatherer societies and certain pastoralist (herding) groups.

Here is a breakdown of why it is so prevalent in these specific types of societies:

1. Hunter-Gatherers (The "Original" Shamans)

Ecological Mindset: Hunting and gathering requires an intimate knowledge of the land and animals. Animism (the belief that animals, plants, and places have spirits) is a logical extension of this worldview. The shaman is the specialist who negotiates with these "non-human persons" to ensure hunting success.

Egalitarianism: Most hunter-gatherer societies are relatively egalitarian. Shamanism fits this because it is often an individual calling rather than a hereditary priesthood with rigid hierarchy.

Examples: The San people of Southern Africa (healing trance dances), the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, and the various indigenous groups of the Arctic and Amazon.

2. Pastoralists

Environmental Harshness: Many pastoralist societies (like those in Siberia or the Mongolian steppe) live in extreme environments. The spiritual role often involves protecting herds from disease, finding lost animals, and controlling the weather.

Mobility: Shamanism is portable. It doesn't require temples or fixed structures, making it ideal for nomadic people who move with their herds.

Examples: The Sami people of Northern Europe (reindeer herders) and the Mongolian and Turkic peoples of Central Asia.

3. "Primitives" and the Terminology

Anthropological Context: In early 20th-century anthropology, "primitives" was the common term used to describe small-scale, pre-industrial societies. While the term is now considered outdated and sometimes pejorative in general conversation, it accurately describes the technological context in which classical shamanism was studied.

The Contrast: The key distinction is that shamanism is typically not the norm in large, agrarian state societies (like ancient Egypt or Rome), which tend to develop a formal priesthood, temples, and orthodox doctrine, often suppressing the individualized ecstatic experiences of shamans.

Conclusion So yes, historically and anthropologically, shamanism is the standard spiritual technology of small-scale, mobile societies—specifically hunter-gatherers and pastoralists.