Fading Civilization: Chinese Shamanic Art and Culture

Author: Wang Songlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Saman is an ancient Tungusic term, meaning "shaman" in ancient Chinese, and refers to a belief in animism. It is an ancient religion of humanity, with a long and traditional following from Africa to Central Asia, to Northeast China, and even to the Americas. With the rise of anthropology and the emphasis on special cultures, shamanism has become part of humanity's shared cultural heritage. However, under the waves of globalization and modernization, the ancient ways of life are rapidly disappearing, creating a tragic phenomenon—we are trying to preserve shamanic culture, yet it is simultaneously declining. What we can do may only be,,. When culture becomes disconnected from daily life, what else can we do? Is it enough to build a cultural museum or a cultural village and stage commercialized "culture" 365 days a year? This book preserves precious shamanic images, allowing us to glimpse the traces of this distant civilization.