Shamans of the Northern Peoples of Russia. Iron Bones, Helper Spirits and Flights Between Worlds

Colorful costume, resonant sounds of the drum, unusual dances and chants — the image of shamans fascinates and terrifies. Some consider them madmen, others — sages, and others — cunning tricksters. Who are they really? What secrets do the shamanic traditions of the northern peoples hide?

In this book you will learn how to become a shaman and what “shamanic illness” is; how shamans enter trance and why the drum is alive; what shamanic “tricks” are and what the symbols on the drum and attire mean. You will see the beauty of legends about shamans, meet helper spirits, and touch the mysteries of the shamanic craft. Everything will be told by Olga Khristoforova — anthropologist, folklorist, Doctor of Philology, author of five monographs and 270 scientific articles, including more than 30 works on the mythology of the Northern peoples.