WOUNDED HEALER

Many recorded examples of shamanicinitiationinvolve a debilitating or life-threateningillness, recovery from which is facilitated only by the assistance ofspiritswho instruct the novice that in return for thishealings/he must become a shaman. The consistency of this initiatory illness and subsequent healing has led to the application of the termwounded healeras a characteristic feature of shamanisms. Nonetheless, such a general term and monolithic approach should be treated with caution since the diversity of indigenous realities resists simplistic classification. The Germanperformanceartist and “shaman”JosephBeuys’s urge to “show your wound” is reminiscent of the shaman as a wounded healer.