Paper Spirits and Flower Sacrifices: Hmong Shamans in the 21st Century

Abstract

Nurses' awareness that the availability of biomedicine does not preclude the continuing or recurring utilization of traditional healers can facilitate understanding of culturally defined health care needs.

Biomedical drugs and traditional treatment in care seeking pathways for adults with epilepsy in Masindi district, Western Uganda: a household survey

“…Many studies have indicated the use of traditional medicine and modern medicine [2][3][4]. Use of spiritual healing in sickness is documented in America and Asia [26][27][28]. During the epilepsy care seeking process in this study, many patients use different drugs for treating the same episode.…”

Syncretism in Miao Healing: Bridging Shamanic Practices and Scientific Treatments with Religion, Ritual, and Local Knowledge

“…In the context of local Miao healing ceremonies, the role of the shaman assumes a paramount significance. The shaman functions as a conduit, facilitating communication between descendants and ancestral spirits and, thus, serving as an intermediary in the ex-change of desires and intentions between the living and the departed (Plotnikoff et al 2002;Helsel 2019).…”

“…In addition to their abilities to "discern life and death, foresee years and months like deities", they engage in ritualistic elements such as song and dance, overseeing activities encompassing sacrificial rites, divination, and supplications. These roles extend to dispelling malevolent forces, invoking blessings, averting disasters, predicting abundance or scarcity, and providing medical treatment, constituting integral facets of their customary functions (Helsel 2019). For Miao healers, the term "wū (巫)" (literally, shaman/spirit healer) serves not merely as a conduit for spiritual therapy but also as a diagnostic instrument.…”

“…When illness strikes, Miao families encounter obstacles such as limited access to medical care, high costs, and challenges in securing appointments with skilled medical professionals. Consequently, many turn to Miao shaman for assistance (Helsel 2019). In Miao villages, the enduring struggle against nature and various diseases has given rise to a rich culture of Miao traditional medical knowledge.…”

“…As expounded by Bai Xingfa (Bai 2004), these pr strate the capacity to "bridge the celestial and terrestrial realms, comm humans and spirits". In addition to their abilities to "discern life and d and months like deities", they engage in ritualistic elements such as so seeing activities encompassing sacrificial rites, divination, and suppli extend to dispelling malevolent forces, invoking blessings, averting d abundance or scarcity, and providing medical treatment, constitutin their customary functions (Helsel 2019). For Miao healers, the term " shaman/spirit healer) serves not merely as a conduit for spiritual th diagnostic instrument.…”