I was just watching a new programme on sky for 10 mins channel 172 Psychic tv, and someone mentioned Shamanism the lady on the tv said that Native American Indians were quite offended if they were called Shamans, they would rather be called Medicine Man or Woman, is this right? i don't wish to cause offence, 😮 you know me i like to get things right and correct lol.:D
RE: To not give offence
Hi Hawkwind, yes your right....they dont have the word Shaman in there language as far as i know....and yes they do take offence.
But the word shaman relates to people that comunicate with the spirit world etc.. We are always learning everday.......so keep question's coming and if we don't know the anwser...we can all ways find someone who might.
love and blessings
lightwinds xx
Wendy
RE: To not give offence
Ok thanks Wendy [sm=1kis.gif]
RE: To not give offence
Hi Folks,
The word shaman originated from the Tinglit tribe (Deer tribe) in Russia, anthropologists used the word shaman to describe the diverse cultures that use similar practices all over the world. Yes it is correct that Native American Indians do get offended, they are termed as medicine men or holy men. Also they had pseudo shamans that used to misuse their position and rape the women who went to them for help, so you can understand another reason why they get angry.
There are also no go areas re some indian reservations where it can be life threatening.
I've been on the receiving end of fundamentalist indians who protect their culture and cannot stand any outsider using their teachings whether in a respectful way or not, and it was not a pleasant experience.
Also I think shaman in Russia mean't "horse that rides the night sky" but I'll have to check as it is a long time ago I remember reading about it.
Keep the love flowing, even under adversity.
Big Hugs [sm=grouphug.gif]
RE: To not give offence
Hello paul, thanks ......i can imagine how the native people reacted to you......some will never forget the pain there familys sufferd in the old day......as well as still suffering today in certain areas and they can be quite sencitive.
love and blessings
lightwinds xx
Wendy
RE: To not give offence
Hi Paul, Thanks for the info, 😉
When the Russians started conquering and colonizing Siberia, they first came upon shamans among the Evenk people. (The Russians call the Evenk “Tungus”). The Evenks, and their neighbors, the Buryats, use the term shaman for their spiritual leaders. The word spread from the Russians to the Americas via anthropologists who were studying Native Americans. These anthropologists needed a word to describe what they thought the Native Americans were doing.
The great number of nations that populated the Americas was extremely diverse. Their clothing, languages, lifestyles, and spiritual traditions were extremely varied. Trying to classify all of these peoples into only one stereotype is inaccurate.
Many Native Americans get insulted by being called “shamans” because this is a foreign word and does not necessarily define what they are. Just because a tribe has a similar spiritual practitioner in their culture, does not necessarily make them a shaman. It is not polite to clump together all tribal peoples into a “generic-primitive-religion category” by using the term shaman for tribal healers in diverse cultures.