Mongolian/Yellow Shamanism

In Mongolia, there are both make and female shamans serving as exorcists, healers, rainmakers, oneiromancers (explorer of the dream world through lucid dreams), soothsayers (foreteller of future events) and spiritual guides. Shamanic practices still continue in modern day Mongolian culture.

Shaman - (jigari)

Shamaness - (abjiya)

known in the west as shamanism, it is based on the idea that the visible world if full of invisible forces and spirits. The shaman as intermediary between the material and spirit world, communicates  with the spirits of water, wind, fire and trees, moon and sun. for assisting in healing, hunting spiritual guidance and changing weather patterns. Healers of the Buu, known as it is in Mongolia today still preform these rituals. 

Yellow shamanism is the term used to designate a particular version of shamanism practiced in Mongolia and Siberia which incorporates rituals and traditions from Buddhism. Yellow indicates Buddhism in Mongolia since most Buddhists since most buddhist there belong to what is called the 'Yellow sect' of Tibetan buddhism, whose members wear yellow robes and hats during practice.

 Modern day Mongolian shamans preforming drum beating rituals. I like the idea of bringing aspects of these rituals into my imagery. I will try and capture some of the movements and energies that are flowing through the shamans during these ceremonies. I may focus on the character of the shaman specifically and characterise them, or I could possibly bring other elements of the rituals into the images. I could focus on many of the different aspects of shamanism but for this project my aim is to focus in on the spiritual connections through shamanism.

Drinking some king of natural/herbal medicine to help induce meditative/spiritual states of consciousness. I would also like to use some of these idea within the images that I create, showing that we can have an authentic connection with nature that can be enhanced by consuming certain spiritual herbs and spices.

Traditional style Shamanic/Buddhist painting.