Shamans
These are believed to cause illness by entering or affecting the body.
What are spirits?
A shaman might avoid travel or contact due to fear of this kind of supernatural retaliation.
What is spiritual attack or danger from spirits?
This method involves the shaman physically or symbolically extracting harmful objects from a patient.
What is spirit extraction
Before a healing ritual, these must be gathered or summoned by the healer.
What are spirit helpers?
Breaking these could cause illness, even for the shaman’s own family.
What are taboos?
This type of sickness is caused by natural causes like poison rather than spirits.
What are non-spiritual (natural) ailments?
These individuals assist the shaman during rituals and may be paid for their role.
Who are spokesmen or assistants?
This belief suggests that even imagined or socially reinforced accusations can still justify payment to a healer.
What is the idea that belief in illness validates treatment
During rituals, large groups often gather to observe this healing process.
What are healing ceremonies?
This dual role of the shaman includes both diagnosing and curing illness through spiritual means.
What is spiritual healer and mediator?