The paraphernalia of the Shamans of the Nepalese community in Darjeeling Himalaya
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research February 17, 2026 Mukesh Gurung
Shamans of Darjeeling Himalaya use paraphernalia such as sacred drums, porcupine quills, and pheasant feathers to cure illnesses caused by malevolent spirits, rooted in animist beliefs that rivers, forests, mountains, and trees are living entities with spirits. When disturbed by human activities, these spirits cause sickness, and shamans act as intermediaries between the human and spirit realms, falling into trance during séances. They also combine herbal medicine with faith healing. Although modernization and cultural assimilation have obscured some rituals, the people of Darjeeling preserve shamanic knowledge while adapting to changing socio-historical contexts.