Birgitte Sonne

The professional ecstatic in his social and ritual position

Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis January 16, 2019 Birgitte Sonne

The professional ecstatic, or shaman, among traditional Eskimo societies is a part-time religious specialist who performs ecstatic rituals that are collective in nature. The shaman's social and cultic position is determined by the range of ritual duties he undertakes within the society. While shamans have ritual tasks in economic ceremonies and typically undergo initiation, they do not automatically become leaders; leadership requires organizational skills, especially in hunting contexts. In societies lacking formal political or juridical institutions, the shaman may also exercise control over social morality and, if possessing both shamanic powers and organizational gifts, can attain a leader's status with considerable authority during crises.