Finnish and Sámi Shamanism: Knowers, Ecstasy, and Revival

The provided text offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of Finnish and Sámi shamanic traditions, tracing their shared Finno-Ugric origins in animistic worldviews and common cosmogonic myths. It distinguishes between the Finnish tietäjä (knower), whose power relies on sacred knowledge and incantations, and the Sámi noaidi (shaman), who uses ecstatic trance and spirit journeys facilitated by a ceremonial drum. The sources also examine the historical suppression of these indigenous beliefs by Christianization, leading to syncretism, and conclude by highlighting their modern resurgence as part of cultural reclamation movements.

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