Shamanism in Northern and Southern Eurasia
Social Science Information March 1, 2011 Michael Witzel 8 citations
Shamanism among the San, Andamanese, and Australian Aboriginal peoples—termed 'southern' or 'Gondwana' shamanism—differs substantially from the 'classical' Siberian version found across Eurasia and the Americas ('Laurasia'). A key southern feature is the experience of heat rising up the spine, which the author links to medieval Indian Kundalini yoga and certain representations in Paleolithic art. This process is argued to be an important aspect of the altered consciousness produced by shamanistic initiation and practice.