Shamanism is an ancient practice for healing and guidance, but does it really work, or is it just a myth? Some live by it, while others consider this to be a false belief. There’s no solid proof either way whether it holds some truth or is just a myth.
However, a lot of people still claim to be healed, freed from evil spirits, lifted from curses, or brought back into balance in mind and body. Shamanism is one of those things—the more you learn, the more you feel like you know nothing about its depth.
To explore more about shamanism, I visited a shaman near Patan. We usually call shamans as Jhakri, and this one was well-known in the community as Jhakri Ba. He's been making his living as a shaman for the last 17 years. From Jhakri Ba, we learned a lot—and here’s what we found.
Why Do We Need Shamans?
According to Jhakri Ba, the energy from ancient times still flows through nature—both good and bad. Positive energy can be used for healing, lifting curses, banishing evil spirits, and restoring balance to the body and soul.
But along with the good, negative energy exists too. Even after death, the soul can stick around. If the body experienced pain or left things unfinished, the soul can’t rest until it’s resolved. This energy is everywhere—and it can be drawn into a body or called upon through mantras.
Spiritual practitioners like Mata, Dhami, and Shaman tap into these ancient powers. By using mantras, they help finish the soul’s unfinished business, ease suffering, and grant freedom (mukti). They even guide troubled ancestors—who might be causing harm—toward peace.
Doctors can’t do this kind of sacred work. That’s why shamans matter. And just like any skill, shamanism can be learned. Every shaman has a teacher (Guru).
Do They Heal Every Kind of Suffering?
In the past, when modern medicine hadn’t reached most parts of the country, shamans were the go-to healers. These days, we usually head to hospitals. And clearly, it’s a bad idea to head to shamans when you cut your fingers.However, shamans are still the first choice to treat certain kinds of pain, especially if that pain comes from ancestral energy or unseen spiritual forces.
Depending on the place, the community, and the individual shaman, each one has their own way of predicting and healing. Some use rice, some beat a healing drum called a dhangro, and others draw lines with special powders to heal and to predict the future.
But that doesn’t mean one method is right and another wrong. In the end, what really matters is the result—healing.
Are There Different Types of Shamans?
While there’s no fixed way to classify shamans, there are many types. The type often depends on where they live and on their unique attributes—like color, nature, and behavior.
For example, shamans who live in the forest are called Ban Shaman and Kalo Bir. Other types include Latey Shaman, Sinkey Shaman, Ritthey Shaman, and more.
A common myth is that only men can be shamans—but the truth is, women can be shamans too.
Why do Shamans Visit Different Places on the Full Moon (Purnima)?
The full Moon Day(Purnima) is considered a day filled with positive energy, best for worship, fasting, and rituals. Tradition says gods and goddesses roam around these places during Purnima. Popular spots include Gosaikunda, Temal, Shakti Pithas and Shiva temples.
When visiting these places, especially mountains, they follow the marga darshan (spiritual path) of their guru. You can also find them performing rituals near riversides and temples around Kathmandu.
On August full moon night, Shamans stay at these sacred sites, performing rituals where they dance, lead ceremonies, and engage in spiritual activities.Typically, you’ll find them wearing white garments and often have colorful cloth pieces like green, yellow, and red on their forehead, along with different kinds of quills and feathers on their head.
Shamans vs. Dhamis: Are They the Same?
Some people see Dhamis and shamans as the same, while others see them as distinct. In most Brahmin and Chhetri communities, they’re often viewed as separate—Dhamis are believed to come from a specific kul (lineage). However, in other groups, they might be seen as one and the same.
It’s actually tough to tell a Dhami, Shaman, or other spiritual healer apart just by looking at them. In the end, it really comes down to who you learn from.
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more tidbits
Shamans in Nepal are considered to be spiritual healers who communicate with the spirit world. They act as mediators between the physical and spiritual realms, often believed to be chosen by spirits themselves. Their primary role is to diagnose and cure illnesses, which are thought to be caused by malevolent spirits, curses, or loss of soul.
Becoming a Shaman
The journey to becoming a shaman is often initiated through a spiritual calling, usually marked by intense dreams, visions, or prolonged illnesses. These experiences are interpreted as signs that the spirits have chosen the individual. The aspiring shaman then undergoes training under a senior shaman, learning various rituals, chants, and the use of sacred instruments like the dhyangro (drum).
Shamanic Rituals
Rituals performed by shamans can be intense and theatrical. They involve chanting, drumming, dancing, and sometimes possession by spirits. The dhyangro, an essential tool, is believed to help the shaman enter a trance state, enabling communication with the spiritual world. Rituals may be conducted for healing, exorcism, finding lost objects, or ensuring good harvests.
Beliefs and Worldview
Shamans operate within an animistic worldview, where every element of nature is believed to possess a spirit. Health is viewed as a balance between these spirits, and any disturbance can lead to illness or misfortune. Unlike Western medicine, which treats symptoms, shamanic healing addresses the spiritual causes of problems.
Integration with Religion
Though Nepal is predominantly Hindu and Buddhist, shamanism coexists with these religions. In many communities, people visit both a shaman and a priest to seek solutions. Some shamans incorporate elements of Hindu and Buddhist rituals into their practice, creating a syncretic spiritual system.
Cultural Significance
Shamans are highly respected figures in their communities. They are involved in life-cycle rituals like birth, marriage, and death. They also play a crucial role in festivals and communal ceremonies. Their knowledge of herbs, local myths, and traditions makes them guardians of indigenous culture.
Modern Challenges
With modernization and the spread of formal education and healthcare, the role of shamans is slowly declining, especially in urban areas. However, in rural Nepal, they continue to be an integral part of the community, offering comfort and healing to those who still believe in the power of spirits.
