Shaman (shaman in English) is a traditional priest of shamanism who has contact with the world of spirits, showing particular capacity for prophecy or healing. Wizard, sorcerer, healer, witch, shaman and doctor are other corresponding names.
According to belief, the shaman is the leader inspired by the spirits to conduct the ceremonies of shamanism. It is the priest who, during shamanic rituals, enters a trance state, managing to penetrate supernatural realms and find solutions to the problems of a person or group. There are usually chants, dances and the use of musical instruments during shamanic rituals.
Traditionally, the person who demonstrates deep knowledge of human nature, who acts wisely, who lives in harmony and transmits good teachings, can be chosen by its people to represent them as shaman. Each culture has a different way of recognizing a shaman, it can be either male or female.
In the past, when a child (usually a boy) was recognized as having the capacity to be a future shaman, there was a consecration and a training that lasted many years began. In this process, the child received symbolic objects such as drums, bones, teeth and other metal items to add special powers.
In Brazilian indigenous tribes, the shaman is the shaman of his tribe.
