BALZER, MAJORIE MANDELSTAM

(1950– )

Research professor at Georgetown University in the Sociology/Anthropology Department and the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies (CERES), where she coordinates the Social, Ethnic, and Regional Issues concentration. As a social-cultural anthropologist, Balzer has done fieldwork in the Russian Federation, especially among the ObUgrian Khanty (Ostiak, also called Yugra) of WesternSiberiabeginning in 1976, and theSakha(also called Yakut) of Eastern Siberia since 1986. Among her many publications concerned with these regions, social theory, interethnic relations, religion, and the growth of nationalism, some are concerned with shamans and shamanism, especially in Siberia and the Sakha Republic.InShamanism:SovietStudies of Traditional Religion in Siberia and Central Asia, she published translations of the work of four Soviet scholars who “begin from the Marxist-Leninist premise that shamanism (like all religion) is obsolete. But they also concede that traditional shamans improved poetry, entertainment, psychotherapy, and occasionally even cures and genuine leadership for their communities.” Her publications include important contributions to debates about shamans and their roles andperformances, as well as constructions ofgender. Just asCaroline HumphreyandUrgunge Onondemonstrate that DaurMongolshamans (yadgan) are remade byinitiationinto beings closer toother-than-human personsorspiritsthan to human beings, so Balzer supportsMaria CzaplickaandBernard Saladind’Anglure’s demonstration that shamans are commonly a “third class” or gender that maymediatebetween other persons. Her discussion ofbear ceremonialismalso contributes to discussion ofanimisthuman relationships with other-than-human persons,poweranimals, and, perhaps,totems.