The Phenomenon of Shamanism in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Sociocultural Anthropology: A Theoretical Aspect

Abstract

Shamanism occupies a distinctive place among the cultural and religious practices of humanity. Although it does not have as many adherents as major theistic or non-theistic world religions, its significance in shaping worldviews and cultural patterns remains substantial today. Its specificity lies in the absence of a clearly defined institutional structure, a unified cult, or a standardized ritual system. This necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to its study, particularly through the lens of cultural anthropology. Since its emergence in the nineteenth century, this discipline has actively explored archaic belief systems, including shamanism. Scholarly interest in these phenomena has been driven by the development of evolutionary theories and the accumulation of ethnographic data. In this context, shamanism appears as a complex phenomenon that combines a distinctive worldview with practices of interaction with the transcendent. At the same time, in popular culture it is often simplified, which fails to reflect its true nature

The Objective of the research is to  examine the phenomenon of shamanism in the works of leading anthropological schools of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Methods. Given the review-based nature of the study, the methodology includes a descriptive approach (which enables the systematization of descriptions, evaluations, and interpretations of shamanism) and a comparative approach (used to compare the views of cultural anthropologists on the essence of this practice).

Results. The results of the study indicate that, despite the widespread presence of shamanism across different regions of the world, its study is characterized by a certain degree of ambiguity. In classical studies of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a comprehensive analysis of its essence was provided primarily by Mircea Eliade, whereas British, American, and French schools largely limited themselves to fragmentary references and general overviews. In contemporary cultural anthropology, two main interpretative trends can be identified: on the one hand, a generalized functional approach (viewing shamanism as a set of ritual, healing, and socio-psychological practices), and on the other hand, its regional specification (European, Asian, and American contexts). At the same time, the absence of an integrative approach combining historical-theoretical and comparative-cultural analysis indicates the need for further research in this field.

Conclusions. In anthropological studies, shamanism appears not only as an archaic form of religiosity but also as a complex sociocultural phenomenon that integrates mystical experience, symbolic structures, and mechanisms for maintaining the psychological and social integrity of a community.