A broom in Nepal’s primitive therapy that 'heals,' 'exorcises' evil spirits
- hace 4 años
Kathmandu, Nov 21 (EFE/EPA).- Chet Bahadur Thing wears green paint on his face, a belt of bells and headgear made of peacock feathers as he gets ready to heal a patient amid a steady beat of a two-sided drum.
Thing, 26, is a renowned shaman that to his followers means a doctor, a spiritual man or even a guru who can use trance and communicate with supernatural powers and heal diseases, exorcise evil spirits or even foretell fortunes.
The ritual practitioner comes from Nepal’s ethnic Tamang community, one of many groups that follow the centuries-old practice of healing by entering into what they claim is the spiritual world when the shaman gets in a state of trance.
One of the oldest forms of healing prevalent among many Himalayan communities in Asia, shamanism is said to have its origins in the larger Hindu and Buddhist ritual systems that share some common ancient beliefs.
The practitioners, also called jhakri or dhami or sometimes even dhami-jhakri, usually come from indigenous communities of Tamang, Magar, Rai, Limbu and Gurung in the geographically, linguistically and culturally diverse landlocked Himalayan country. (Camera: NARENDRA SHRESTHA. Editor: NATTAKARN JEAMRUGEEKUL).
Thing, 26, is a renowned shaman that to his followers means a doctor, a spiritual man or even a guru who can use trance and communicate with supernatural powers and heal diseases, exorcise evil spirits or even foretell fortunes.
The ritual practitioner comes from Nepal’s ethnic Tamang community, one of many groups that follow the centuries-old practice of healing by entering into what they claim is the spiritual world when the shaman gets in a state of trance.
One of the oldest forms of healing prevalent among many Himalayan communities in Asia, shamanism is said to have its origins in the larger Hindu and Buddhist ritual systems that share some common ancient beliefs.
The practitioners, also called jhakri or dhami or sometimes even dhami-jhakri, usually come from indigenous communities of Tamang, Magar, Rai, Limbu and Gurung in the geographically, linguistically and culturally diverse landlocked Himalayan country. (Camera: NARENDRA SHRESTHA. Editor: NATTAKARN JEAMRUGEEKUL).