April 27

" Shamans use several different tools in their work. In addition to the costume and drum, most shamans use mirrors, staffs, and ongons. Other tools used by Siberian and Mongolian shamans, but not by all, are the dalbuur, a type of fan, whips for the spirit animals used during the journey, and musical instruments, the most common one being the Jew's harp.

A shaman may wear ordinary clothing or specialized costume for doing his or her work. In my own experience, most shamans prefer wearing traditional clothing even for everyday wear, probably because shamans do have the role of being preservers of traditional culture. Even those shamans who wear Russian clothing in nonshamanic contexts will usually wear ethnic clothing for rituals not requiring going into an ecstatic state. For more elaborate rituals involving drumming,dancing, and journeying, most shamans will wear some type of ritual costume. The costume is usually made by the shaman's family and other members of the community he serves. The costume houses the spirits that come to the shaman during ecstasy and is therefore, functionally, like an ongon. Full-length shaman costumes are usually made of caribou hide, worn over regular clothing, and tied in back. Like Native American dance costumes, the arms and hem are usually adorned with buckskin fringe. The fringe is symbolic of feathers, for the shaman will fly like an eagle while journeying. Dozens of conical bells are attached to the costume so that every movement of the shaman will be accompanied by their jingling." I promise to add more tomorrow...


	Through My Eyes Sunday April 27 " Shamans use several different tools in their work. In addition to the costume and drum, most shamans use mirrors, staffs, and ongons. Other tools used by Siberian and Mongolian shamans, but not by all, are the dalbuur, a type of fan, whips for the spirit animals used during the journey, and musical instruments, the most common one being the Jew's harp. A shaman may wear ordinary clothing or specialized costume for doing his or her work. In my own experience, most shamans prefer wearing traditional clothing even for everyday wear, probably because shamans do have the role of being preservers of traditional culture. Even those shamans who wear Russian clothing in nonshamanic contexts will usually wear ethnic clothing for rituals not requiring going into an ecstatic state. For more elaborate rituals involving drumming,dancing, and journeying, most shamans will wear some type of ritual costume. The costume is usually made by the shaman's family and other members of the community he serves. The costume houses the spirits that come to the shaman during ecstasy and is therefore, functionally, like an ongon. Full-length shaman costumes are usually made of caribou hide, worn over regular clothing, and tied in back. Like Native American dance costumes, the arms and hem are usually adorned with buckskin fringe. The fringe is symbolic of feathers, for the shaman will fly like an eagle while journeying. Dozens of conical bells are attached to the costume so that every movement of the shaman will be accompanied by their jingling." I promise to add more tomorrow... Through my eyes * courtesy of Sarangerel in her book Riding Windhorses