shamanism Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun any animistic religion similar to Asian shamanism (especially as practiced by certain Native American tribes)
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noun an animistic religion of northern Asia having the belief that the mediation between the visible and the spirit worlds is effected by shamans
Asian shamanism.
WordNet
Sha"man*ism noun
Definitions
The type of religion which once prevalied among all the Ural-Altaic peoples (Tungusic, Mongol, and Turkish), and which still survives in various parts of Northern Asia. The Shaman, or wizard priest, deals with good as well as with evil spirits, especially the good spirits of ancestors. Encyc. Brit.