SHAMANISM

shamanism, Asian shamanism

(noun) an animistic religion of northern Asia having the belief that the mediation between the visible and the spirit worlds is effected by shamans

shamanism

(noun) any animistic religion similar to Asian shamanism (especially as practiced by certain Native American tribes)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

shamanism (countable and uncountable, plural shamanisms)

Any of a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world.

Coordinate terms

Source: Wiktionary

Sha"man*ism, n.

Definition: The type of religion which once prevalied among all the Ural- Altaic peoples (Tungusic, Mongol, and Turkish), and which still survives in various parts of Northern Asia. The Shaman, or wizard priest, deals with good as well as with evil spirits, especially the good spirits of ancestors. Encyc. Brit.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition