Debbie Y. Nicholls-Skerritt in 'Passage'
COBA Reference: Shaman
Shamanism comprises a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. A practitioner of shamanism is known as a shaman. There are many variations of shamanism throughout the world, but all forms of shamanism share several common beliefs. Shamans are intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. According to believers, they can treat illness and are capable of entering supernatural realms to obtain answers to the problems of their community.