Animism is Applied Ethnobotany: A Shamanic Healing Ritual with the Dayak Benuaq Ohookng / East Kalimantan
Journal of Tropical Ethnobiology January 30, 2020 Herwig Zahorka 1 citation
The Dayak Benuaq Ohookng people believe that territorial ghosts or spirits (wook) can remove the soul (juus) from a human body part or organ and implant disease. Shamans (pembeliatn) act as mediums, identifying the responsible spirit during nocturnal rituals and offering various ritual items, including a soul substitute (kelakar) made from ironwood. To cure the patient, saliva is smeared onto a carved statue (sepatukng silih) depicting the spirit, which is later taken to the forest. Shamans may extract disease using a spliced banana leaf (telolo) or transfer it to a statue or sacrificial animal blood.