Medieval Christians’ Knowledge of Shamanism in the North: An Oral Tradition in the Historia Norwegie and the Russian Primary Chronicle
This paper examines a previously unrecognized parallel between the descriptions of deep-trance shamanic rituals in the twelfth-century Historia Norwegie and the Повѣсть времѧньныхъ лѣтъ, commonly called the Primary Chronicle. The shared narrative pattern is argued to reflect oral circulating discour...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Print Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Molnar & Kelemen Oriental Publ.
2021
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In: |
Shaman
Year: 2021, Volume: 29, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 21-64 |
Summary: | This paper examines a previously unrecognized parallel between the descriptions of deep-trance shamanic rituals in the twelfth-century Historia Norwegie and the Повѣсть времѧньныхъ лѣтъ, commonly called the Primary Chronicle. The shared narrative pattern is argued to reflect oral circulating discourse, approached as a legend tradition. The example is considered in relation to later legend traditions with shared features and argued to have circulated as constitutive of Christians’ knowledge of deep-trance shamanic practices. The study shows how legend traditions are anchors for cultural memory. It also raises source-critical concerns, illustrating that the same legend may be told about different ethnic groups. |
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ISSN: | 1216-7827 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Shaman
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