Russia’s Shamans: The Best Places to Experience Their Ceremonies
Khakassia, Altai, Kamchatka — Where to Find Real Shamans in Russia
Photo: Office of the Supreme Shaman
Shamanism is a unique socio-cultural phenomenon that shapes the worldview of many peoples around the globe — and Russia is no exception. This spiritual tradition remains popular among the peoples of Siberia and the Russian Far East. In fact, it’s often said that the most powerful shamans in the world live here.
The Origins of Shamanism
Shamanism is a unique belief system that peacefully coexists with other forms of magic and religion. Shamans do not seek to convert as many people as possible, which gives their practice an air of exclusivity. Archaeologists believe that shamanism originated in Siberia during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, making it one of the oldest known spiritual traditions on Earth.
In shamanism, the shaman plays a central role as a mediator between the divine and human worlds. By entering a trance, the shaman conveys divine will through dance, rhythmic drumming, or chanting. To find answers to important questions, shamans perform kamlanie — a state of ecstasy often described as ascending to the heavens or descending to the underworld.
Passing Down the Gift
In Russia, shamanic abilities are often inherited. However, an heir must be able to enter trance states and possess extensive knowledge — including the names of spirits, clan mythology, genealogy, and secret languages. Among the Khanty (Ostyaks), the shaman’s gift is believed to be innate but only “activated” after the death of the current shaman. A similar belief exists among Siberian Samoyeds.
The Yakuts even have “shaman schools,” where experienced mentors train chosen ones who cannot master the craft on their own. In contrast, the South Siberian Buryats believe that a person may become a shaman after being struck by lightning or hit by a falling stone.
Shamanism is not just mysticism — it is part of Russia’s rich cultural heritage. Many indigenous peoples of Siberia and the Far East, including the Buryats, Yakuts, Evenks, Dolgans, and Nganasans, continue to maintain their traditions, passing them down within families and clans. Shamans interact with spirits, heal the sick, foretell the future, and preserve ancestral wisdom.
This guide will take you through regions where you can meet shamans, witness their rituals, and learn about their spiritual world.
Khakassia
Traditional celebrations in Khakassia are preserved to this day. Photo: Anna Amzarakova / Shutterstock / Fotodom
In Khakassia, shamanism dates back centuries. People sought shamans to expel illness, heal the soul, and cleanse spaces of negative energy. Shamans here are traditionally divided into three categories:
- Pugdurs – Great shamans with up to nine drums, special costumes decorated with eagle wings, and an “army” of spirits. They treated infertility, protected livestock, and guided souls to the afterlife.
- Pulgoses – Mid-level shamans with a single drum, mainly focused on healing illnesses.
- Chalanchiks – Shamans skilled in hypnosis, performing simple healing rituals without special costumes or drums.
The main shamanic instrument is the drum (tÿÿr) with a beater (orba), and special attire adorned with bells, ribbons, and feathers.
Sometimes they use a jaw harp — a musical instrument played by pressing it against the teeth or lips. Photo: Ilya Garus / Yandex Maps
In Khakassia, shamanism was integrated into everyday life, considered a gift that could not be refused.
Buryatia
The costume is important: it should be blue or white, usually decorated with silhouettes of snakes, horses, or people. Photo: Alexey Trofimov / Tengeri | Shaman Religious Center
Buryatia is another stronghold of shamanism. Only an ethnic Buryat with shamanic ancestry can become a shaman. Typically, they work with either benevolent or malevolent spirits — rarely both.
Instead of full kamlanie rituals, Buryat shamans often use prayers, focusing on worship of the sky and earth. Many ceremonies take place in nature, with Lake Baikal holding special sacred significance.
Buryat cosmology describes three worlds:
- The upper world, home to benevolent spirits and 99 supreme gods (tengri).
- The middle world, where humans live.
- The lower world, inhabited by evil spirits, served by dark shamans.
Buryat shamans believe that a nosebleed or mouth bleeding during sleep — or severe fright — may cause the soul to leave the body, requiring a shaman to return it. Visitors can meet shamans at the Tengeri Shamanic Center.
On his head, the shaman wears a hat with ribbons that cover the eyes, and uses stones, prayer beads, various amulets, and other ritual items. Photo: Office of the Supreme Shaman
Yakutia (Sakha Republic)
To find a shaman, tourists come to the town of Aldan, which, according to reviews, is home to many practitioners of this craft. Photo: Office of the Supreme Shaman
Yakut shamans worship Aiyy — deities who protect ancestors, fire, water, earth, home, and hunting. Like Buryats, they believe in three worlds. The highest being, Yurung Aiyy Toyon, sent a man to live on Earth to protect people from evil spirits.
A key Yakut ritual is the algys — a blessing intended to change a person’s fate, often performed for children. Offerings to benevolent spirits are symbolic, as they do not require material sacrifice. Yakut spirituality emphasizes self-reliance, asking spirits only to avoid hindering one’s growth.
Tuva
One cannot simply become a shaman — it is a gift passed down through the family line, known as the “shaman’s illness.” Young shamans learn from experienced ones and perform rituals together. Photo: Office of the Supreme Shaman
In Tuva, shamans provide guidance, predict the future, and heal illnesses. Divination may involve sheep shoulder blades or stones. The cost is never fixed — clients pay what they feel is right.
Shamans also craft protective charms, often small dolls or figures wrapped in ribbons. There are 16 registered shamanic organizations in Tuva, which visitors can contact for ceremonies.
Altai
Kams can imitate the voices of birds and animals, skillfully play the drum, and address gods and spirits. A shaman’s qualifications are determined by these abilities. Photo: Tuva.Asia
Among the Altaians, shamans — called kams — mediate between humans and the spirit world. Their abilities are not necessarily hereditary, but often manifest suddenly, sometimes during an uncontrollable trance.
During rituals, a kam may speak in another voice, believed to be that of a spirit. This altered state ends when the ceremony is over.
Kamchatka
On the Kamchatka Peninsula, shamanism historically focused on healing. The Itelmens, Koryaks, Chukchi, and Evens believed that illness was caused by evil spirits. Shamans expelled these spirits through kamlanie and sometimes physical rituals, including symbolic cuts to release the sickness. If a person was in critical condition, it was believed that a demon of illness had taken their soul, and the shaman could find it and return it to the body.
For this, they used music, dance, drumming, and other means. Photo: Luche / Yandex Maps
Shamanism here could be a profession or a family tradition, often led by elder women who knew healing spells and charms. You can learn more about shamanic rituals, for example, at the “Eyvet” encampment in Kamchatka.
Tips for Visitors
- Always ask permission before taking photos or videos.
- Shamans will not perform serious rituals for entertainment, but many will share stories or demonstrate safe, symbolic practices.
- Some offer souvenirs like jew’s harps or small drums.
- Never touch shamanic attire or tools without permission.
- Certain groups, like the Koryaks, may use substances such as fly agaric mushrooms or herbal teas during ceremonies — do not consume these unless specifically guided by the shaman.
Sources:
travel.yandex.ru
russian7.ru
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