The constitution and contestation of Darhad Shaman's power in contemporary Mongolia / by Judith Hangartner.

• Superior document: Inner Asia series ; . 5
• Author: Hangartner, Judith.
• Year of Publication: 2011
• Language: English
• Series: Inner Asia series ; v. 5.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (374 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This book offers an in-depth insight into post-socialist rural shamans in Mongolia thereby making a rare but important contribution to the ethnography of both Inner Asia and Southern Siberia. It examines the social making of shamans, in particular those of the Shishget depression of the northernmost borders of Mongolia. By analysing practices, discourses and performances in local and national arenas, the author traces the social constitution of the shamans’ inspirational power, examines the shamans’ performance of power during the seance, discusses the economy of reputation of successful shamans and scrutinizes their legitimizing practices. The study will be welcomed by students of social/cultural anthropology and religious studies with a particular interest in shamanism or ritual studies.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- Chapter 1: Introduction: Power of the Margins -- Chapter 2: Intruding into People’s Lives -- Chapter 3: Exploring Inspirational Ontologies -- Chapter 4: Topographies of Affliction in Postsocialism -- Chapter 5: Performance of Inspirational Power -- Chapter 6: Legitimization by Illness and Ancestor Shamans -- Chapter 7: The shamans’ Economy of Reputation -- Chapter 8: Imaginations of Powerful Shamans -- Chapter 9: Beyond Power and Authenticity -- Bibliography -- Index.