Norman W Wilson: Shaman, Sage, Raconteur

by Norman W Wilson, PhD

Shaman or shamanka (female) for purposes here, simplistically may be defined as a healer.The male form will be used to avoid the he/she repetition. As a healer, the shaman commands a local knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants, as well as their application to the sick. He treats everything from an upset stomach to menstruation issues.

The sage is not necessarily a shaman. Generally, the sage is the keeper of tribal wisdom. And like the healer, the sage may be either a male or female. He provides the tribe and other seekers his advice on issues of governance, marriage, child-bearing, and the waging of war.

The raconteur (singer) is the story teller. He recounts in word or song and sometimes dance, the history of his people, their battles, heroes, their tragedies, and sacrifices. He tells the story of his people's creation and of their relationship to the divine. He is basically a historian charged with preserving tribal culture.

A shaman may encompass the role of sage and raconteur. Depending on the culture, his role may be expansive or narrowed to a specialization. He may function as a psychopomp and other times he may function only as certain types of spirits that inhabit the spiritual realm. The personification of these spirits may be in the form of different animals, plants, water creatures or even heavenly bodies.

Whatever the role, the shaman, as are the sage and raconteur, is a respected and powerful member of the community.

Disclaimer:

The word shaman comes from Siberia and is not a term in the vocabulary of Native Americans. It has become a part of popular Western culture and is there used for its recognition.

Norman W Wison and his wife Suzanne are Camano Island residents.  This essay used by permission from the author. His website is http://www.shamanicmysteries.com

Comments

[Norman]

Sorry about the error regarding the origin of the word shaman. The word should have been Siberia not Iberia.

[Jacquie Rogers]

Thanks for defining these terms, Norman. I think the lines blur considerably, especially in contemporary genre literature, so it's good to get straightened out every once in a while. :)