Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism: Sacred Ceremonies of North America (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780874369335)

Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism focuses on "medicine" or sacred ceremonies conducted through shamans in which the power of the Creator is made manifest for all to behold.

Historically, Native American peoples believed that life was to be lived in a sacred manner. There were ceremonies for nearly every act of life that formed the very basis of Native American religious life and were a means of invoking good fortune. Entries include the names and results of medicine ceremonies, renowned shamans famous for their powers, techniques used by shamans to acquire and control the power of sacred ceremonies, technical terms used by anthropologists, biographies of anthropologists who research these ceremonies, cross-cultural symbolic motifs, plants and sacred paraphernalia associated with ceremonies, and recurring themes that structure these ceremonies.

Scholars, students, and everyone interested in Native American cultures or shamanism will find this work fascinating and informative.

Author: William S. Lyon
ISBN-10: 0874369339
ISBN-13: 9780874369335
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Language: English
Published: 12/11/1998
Pages: 506
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.64lbs
Size: 10.28h x 7.29w x 1.61d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 03/01/1999 pg. 74
Booklist 03/15/1999 pg. 1353
School Library Journal 05/01/1999 pg. 154
Booklist 01/01/2000 pg. 958
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2000 pg. 149