The word Shaman comes from the Tungus language via Russian. Among the Tungus of Siberia it is both a noun and a verb.

While the Tungus have no word for what we call shamanism, it has come into usage as a blanket term used by anthropologists, historians,etc., to designate the
experiences and the practices of
the shaman.

Shamanism is not the name of a religion
or group of religions.

I believe that the idea of Shamanism is the basis of all human religions
and belief systems.

(I use the word shamanism here as a blanket term for practices that are world wide, not just in the Americas).

I believe that these practices have been around since paleolithic times.

These practices are similar all over the world with very little variation.

I also have found that there is some intolerance between some people who
study one type of Shamanism over another. This is not what this group
is about.

I am seeking Shamanism in all it's forms and practices. May we all learn together.