Unveiling Shamanism: UC Davis Prof Manvir Singh Journeys Into Humanity’s Oldest Spiritual Practice
India-West Staff Reporter
DAVIS, CA – For over a decade, Manvir Singh, an assistant professor of anthropology at UC Davis, has immersed himself in the study of shamanism, conducting ethnographic fieldwork with Mentawai communities on an Indonesian island. His experiences and research form the foundation of his upcoming book, Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, set to be published by Knopf on May 20.
Singh’s work explores shamanism as a practice rooted in humanity’s desire to control uncertainty. He defines shamans as specialists who use altered states of consciousness to engage with unseen realms and offer services such as healing and divination.
According to Singh, shamanism’s appeal lies in its deep psychological resonance—it is a spiritual tradition that addresses the universal human quest for transformation and control over life’s unpredictable elements.
In Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, Singh traces the practice’s evolution across diverse contexts, from remote indigenous communities in the Amazon to the modern-day Shamandome at Burning Man. His book challenges simplistic views of shamanism, dispelling myths about its ancient origins and lack of presence in Western society.
For instance, he critiques the widespread notion that shamanism is confined to primitive cultures or that psychedelics have always been central to the practice. Singh highlights how elements of shamanism have subtly entered modern life, even among corporate leaders and CEOs who seek out transformative experiences to navigate uncertainty.
Singh also delves into the intersection of shamanic practices and modern science, particularly the lessons biomedicine can learn from indigenous healing traditions. He points out the misrepresentation of psychedelic use in mainstream culture, stressing that the value of shamanism lies not in the substances used but in the transformative experiences they enable.
The book reflects a growing cultural interest in spirituality and mysticism, particularly among younger generations. Whether through astrology or alternative healing, Singh’s work shows that the search for meaning and self-transformation remains a constant across time and cultures.
His exploration of shamanism offers a nuanced understanding of humanity’s oldest spiritual practice, shedding light on its relevance in the modern world and its potential to help people confront life’s uncertainties.
