Paraphernalia

Paraphernalia

Goldes shaman priest in his regalia

Shamans may have various kinds of paraphernalia in different cultures.

Drum - The drum is used by shamans of several peoples in Siberia, the Inuit, and many other cultures all over the world,^[76] although its usage for shamanistic seances may be lacking among the Inuit of Canada.^[77]

The beating of the drum allows the shaman to achieve an altered state of consciousness or to travel on a journey between the physical and spiritual worlds.^[78] Much fascination surrounds the role that the acoustics of the drum play to the shaman. Shaman drums are generally constructed of an animal-skin stretched over a bent wooden hoop, with a handle across the hoop.

Feathers - In numerous cultures,^[where?] birds are seen as messengers of the spirits. Feathers are often used in ceremonies.

Rattle - Found mostly among South American^[79] and African peoples. Also used in ceremonies among the Navajo and in traditional ways in their blessings and ceremonies.

Gong - Often found through South East Asia, Far Eastern peoples.

Pipe - Used for smoking various psychoactive herbs (e.g. tobacco in South America, cannabis in India).

Sword - In the Hmong culture, a holy sword will always be used in the practice to protect the shaman from wandering "evil" spirits as he travel to the spirit world.

Shake - Found mostly in the Hmong culture, the shaman begins his practice by rattling, which turns into a shake. It is the process of communicating with his shamanistic spirits to guide him to the spirit world.

Long Table - A flexible wooden table, approximately nine by two feet, is used in the Hmong culture; the table transforms into a "flying horse and boat" in the spirit world.

Rooster - A rooster is often used in the Hmong culture. A shaman uses a rooster when he journeys to the unknown. It is said that the rooster shields the shaman from wandering "evil" spirits by making him invisible; thus, the evil spirits only see a worthless rooster's spirit.