|
Due to the more individual nature of the shamanic experience in Siberia, I have had to use a general description of the overall pattern of Siberian election165, rather than a clear initiatory pattern as exists in Burma, and amongst the Kwakiutl.
| Cú Chulainn |
Siberian Shaman |
| He is of an elevated social status. |
Amongst the Buryat, shamanism often has a hereditary component.166 |
| He has a blow to his sense of self-worth. |
There is no clear association of this sort of
event to shamanic vocation in Siberia.
|
| He is severely beaten by two spirit women. |
Beatings and dismemberment by spirits is a common feature of Siberian shamanism.167 |
| The beating puts him in a catatonic state. |
Buryat shamans are in a catatonic state as
spirits in the other world are torturing them.168 |
| He is told that this experience is due to an other world woman being in love with him. |
Other world wives form an important, but not essential role to Siberian initiation. |
| He is advised by Conchobar to return to the
place he was beaten. |
Buryat shamans are selected by the spirits but must also be taught by senior shamans.169 |
| He goes through various adventures and does
battle to win Fand. |
Samoyed shamans may have elaborate other
world adventures and battles on the way to becoming a fully initiated shaman.170 These
may or may not include acquiring a spirit wife, although this is common. |
| Emer is jealous of Fand. |
The human spouse may be jealous of the spirit,
as the shaman sometimes considers that his
human wife "is not fit to pour water" on her hands.171 |
| Fand departs, and after drinking a brew of forgetfulness, Cú Chulainn forgets all about her. |
Nothing similar is typical in Siberia. |
| Cú Chulainn acts for the community, although
not in the conclusion of this story. |
The shaman utilises his power for the
community. |
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Footnotes
165 Eliade, 1974, pp. 33-45, and Kalweit, 1988, p. 76
166 Eliade, 1974, p. 19
167 Kalweit, 1988, p. 76
168 Eliade, 1974, pp. 43-44
169 Eliade, 1974, p. 19
170 Eliade, 1974, pp. 38-42
171 Eliade, 1974, p. 77
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