Shamans

Shamans

a Hindu name given to pious persons among the worshippers of Buddha; a term which passed over from them to the Tartars and inhabitants of Siberia, and became the title of their priests, magicians, and physicians. Hence Shamanism is the name given to the religion of most of the tribes of Northern Asia, from Tartary to Kamtchatka. By means of enchantments they professed to be able to cure diseases, avert calamities, and acquaint people with the purposes, etc., of the daemons. By these arts they acquired a great ascendency over the people. (See Shamanism).