Traditional Spiritual Leaders

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   I have become quite interested in shamans, witch doctors, and other traditional spiritual figures in the recent weeks--hence, a place to post any pictures of such people, their tools, or rituals they preside over.

I just really like the vibrancy and colpmexity of world cultures, and that vibrancy is often extremely notable in their spiritual figures--since their traditional duty (one of them, at least) is to keep the history and cultural rules alive.

I'll start off with a very old depiction...

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TheARRGH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Colonel Over-Lord of the Marching Men Joined: 29-Jun-2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 747	Post Options Post Reply Quote TheARRGH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Traditional Spiritual Leaders Posted: 08-Oct-2008 at 02:48
	I have become quite interested in shamans, witch doctors, and other traditional spiritual figures in the recent weeks--hence, a place to post any pictures of such people, their tools, or rituals they preside over. I just really like the vibrancy and colpmexity of world cultures, and that vibrancy is often extremely notable in their spiritual figures--since their traditional duty (one of them, at least) is to keep the history and cultural rules alive. I'll start off with a very old depiction...
	Who is the great dragon whom the spirit will no longer call lord and god? "Thou shalt" is the name of the great dragon. But the spirit of the lion says, "I will." - Nietzsche

hugoestr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Immortal Guard Joined: 13-Aug-2004 Status: Offline Points: 4003	Post Options Post Reply Quote hugoestr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08-Oct-2008 at 15:44
	I am interested too, although I have done very little research at this point. I am writing a story where chanting is a central theme, and chants seem to be especially important in shamanistic religions. And then there is also the element of sweat lodges, and dancing, all very appealing. And the mystical element also seems pretty cool as well. :)
	To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Sasha Fierce Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Immortal Guard Joined: 15-Mar-2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sasha Fierce Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-Mar-2009 at 21:54
	Tools used by Hmong shamans: Top row (left to right): Shaman's altar, Bamboo and strings (hung vertically in the home of Hmong shamans and serves as a bridge from this world to the spirit world), finger bells. Bottom row (left to right): Gong, ox horns, sword. Here's a documentary about Hmong Shamans in America: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWtqpXm-g2U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fciBMs7aJG4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBbgBbc7toI Miao shamans of Hunan, China: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ELA0Y9U9A