Animal and Shaman: Ancient Religions of Central Asia

By: Julian Baldick

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Synopsis: What common features can be found in the ancient customs and native religions of the vast Eurasian landmass? In this unique and invaluable survey of the indigenous pre-Christian and pre-Muslim religions of Central Asia, Julian Baldick - one of the foremost authorities on global comparative religion - describes a common inheritance among the beliefs of the various peoples who have lived in central Asia or have migrated from there: Scythians, Mongols, Manchus, Finns and Hungarians. Shamans - holy men and healers among the pagan faiths - relied heavily on animal sacrifices to create spiritual purity and to nourish the soul. As a result, animals and spirituality were locked in a mutually dependent embrace. The author demonstrates that in pagan times worship and spiritual expression evinced remarkable common features: and that these similarities were largely based on the roles of animals in the different cultures of Central Asia. He shows that these roles have not only survived in the myths and legends of the region, but have also found their way into the mythologies of the West. Now with a fresh postscript, this classic work will find an appreciative interdisciplinary readership.