Shamanism traces its origins to prehistoric times and likely evolved from traditions rooted in nature worship. It continues to be practiced among several Mongolian ethnic groups—the Darkhad, Buryat Khotgoid, Uriankhai, and Tsaatanes.

The Shaman is the one who represents a clan or tribe in communication with the spirits of ancestors and nature. Typically, the shaman is someone who knows how to commune with "the other world." To do this, he performs rhythmic dances accompanied by drumbeats and, sometimes aided by alcohol or herbs that he smokes, enters a trance state. It is upon emerging from this trance that the shaman conveys the spirits' message to the community. The shaman is not merely a religious figure, but a healer, a protector of the clan's arts and customs. He serves as the intermediary with the symbolic universe. The selection of a Shaman is not made through individual or collective choice, but through a process known as "the touch of the spirit"—interpreted as an indication from a former shaman. The candidate reveals himself by entering a trance. This state is generally accompanied by an illness that can last from a few days to several years, and which can only be explained by another shaman. If an individual who has suffered from the shaman's illness or experienced the "touch of the spirit" does not become a shaman, it is customary to believe that this person will die.

To learn more about Shamanism in Mongolie, discover our journey Shamanism in the steppe accompanied by a shaman!