Observations placeholder
The Dances of Manchu Shamans – Institute of Ethnic Literature 2003-2009
Identifier
021561
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Dances of Manchu Shamans – Institute of Ethnic Literature 2003-2009
The shaman puts on his magic costume ... decorated with three birds, from which a dozen or more red or green colored ribbons hang... The shaman begins his invocatory dance. Carrying two drums ... the shaman begins the invocation. The shaman beats the drums whilst dancing and shortly thereafter, the shaman achieves an altered state of consciousness.
At this point the god of hawks is manifest ... The shaman extends his arms outwards and flaps them. Occasionally, the shaman turns around with arms wide open, as the hawk god circles in the sky. By now the shaman has identified himself completely with the deity invoked and the hawk deity is completely present. The shaman as hawk god, steps up onto two tall tables, and still flapping his arms, prepares to fly."