Tobacco and Shamanism in South America
The Latin American Anthropology Review December 1, 1991 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1525/jlca.1991.3.2.67.2
Summary
This book explores the spiritual and ritual use of tobacco among indigenous peoples of South America, arguing that tobacco is a central shamanic tool rather than a mere recreational substance. It examines ethnographic and historical evidence showing how shamans employ tobacco in healing, divination, and communication with spirits, and describes the plant's role in cosmology and social structure across various cultures.
Study at a glance
| Design | historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Population | indigenous peoples of South America |
| Key finding | Tobacco is a fundamental shamanic agent in South American indigenous cultures, used for ritual, healing, and spiritual communication. |
Abstract
Tobacco and Shamanism in South America. Johannes Wilbert. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987. xix. 294 pp., figures, maps, tables, bibliography, index. $30.00 (cloth). ISBN 0‐300‐ 03879‐8.