noun
shamanism
SHAY-muh-niz-uhm
Shamanism (noun) means a set of traditional beliefs and practices built around contacting the spirit world. Example: “The tribe's shamanism involves drumming and trance to reach the spirit world.”
noun
1
A set of traditional beliefs and practices built around contacting the spirit world.
"The tribe's shamanism involves drumming and trance to reach the spirit world."
"Anthropologists have studied shamanism across many unrelated cultures."
"Some modern practitioners have revived shamanism as a personal spiritual path."
How to use shamanism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt's the broad term for practices aimed at reaching or working with the spirit world.
When to use it
It is a neutral, academic-sounding term rather than an everyday one.
Memory tip
Remember it names a whole family of related traditions, not one fixed set of rules.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
practise shamanism
forms of shamanism
shamanism and healing
traditional shamanism
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Fill the gap
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The tribe's _____ involves drumming and trance to reach the spirit world.
Etymology
The word is built from shaman with the suffix -ism, which turns a noun into the name of a belief system or practice.
Rhymes for shamanism
humanism
veganism
organism
mechanism
hooliganism
microorganism
vegetarianism
republicanism
equestrianism
utilitarianism
authoritarianism
See all rhymes for shamanism →
Frequently asked questions
What is shamanism?
It is a name for the various traditional beliefs and practices used to communicate with the spirit world.
Is shamanism a single religion?
No, it covers a range of different traditions found in separate cultures, not one organised faith.
Who practises shamanism?
A shaman is the figure within these traditions said to act as a go-between with the spirit world.
What is the meaning of shamanism?
"shamanism" (noun) means a set of traditional beliefs and practices built around contacting the spirit world.
