religion cosmology

Nepal News

Martino Nicoletti, an Italian anthropologist, explains Kulunge Rai’s practice of shamanism in Nepal in his book “Shamanic Solitudes. Ecstasy, Madness, and Spirit Possession in the Nepal Himalayas”. Shamanism is widely practiced among the Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups living in most parts of the mid hills of Nepal. Unlike the world’s two old religions – Buddhism and Hinduism – the Shamanism has its own root and unique rituals.

This is what one can find in detail in the book. Nicoletti has completed the book following his long stay in the region observing the practices side by side with the Kulunge Rai community. >>continue (LINK UPDATED 12.8.2020)

Nepal News

Martino Nicoletti, an Italian anthropologist, explains Kulunge Rai’s practice of shamanism in Nepal in his book "Shamanic Solitudes. Ecstasy, Madness, and Spirit Possession in the Nepal Himalayas". Shamanism is widely practiced among the Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups living in most…

National Geographic

The ceremony begins with a Roman Catholic prayer. Then three drummers begin to play syncopated rhythms. The attendees begin to dance around a tree in the center of the yard, moving faster and harder with the rising pulse of the beat. The priest draws sacred symbols in the dust with cornmeal, and rum is poured on the ground to honor the spirits. In Haiti these rituals are commonplace: Voodoo is the dominant religion.

It was easy to meld the two faiths, because there are many similarities between Roman Catholicism and voodoo. Participation in voodoo ritual reaffirms one’s relationships with ancestors, personal history, community relationships—and the cosmos. >>continue

National Geographic

Book review: Ecstasy, Madness, and Spirit Possession in the Nepal Himalayas

Haiti: Possessed by Voodoo