ELDERS

Elders: translation

Shamans are rarely the only social and ritual leaders in their communities.Caroline Humphrey, Urgunge Onon, andMarjorieBalzerclarify the role of shamans by discussing the differences between them and elders. There are ceremonies that shamansperform, and others that elders perform. Sometimes shamans are specifically barred from participating in ceremonies run by elders; at other times, they can be present but must not shamanize. Thebear ceremonialcomplex demonstrates that the distinction between shamans and elders is not necessarily that shamans engage with theother world, spirits, orother-than-human personsand elders do not. Rather, shamans and elders may do similar things in different ways, or elders sometimes do what shamans do more expertly and powerfully, or in more fraught or dangerous situations. Shamans are sometimes defined as those who have already experienced death during theinitiationrites, which remake them as distinct kinds of people from elders, who are those approaching death. Similarly, the intense and intimate relationships evolving from initiation and shamanic performance may entail obligations to their otherworld or other-than-human kin and companions that prevent shamans from doing certain things. For example, shamans may be barred from hunting becauseanimalswill know of their approach (although, as with bear ceremonialism, they may indicate auspicious times and places).