Amazonian Shamans: Anthropology of Traditional Medicine in the 21st Century
In this session, we will talk about Indigenous Shamanism in the Amazon Rainforest: shamanistic rituals, medicines, what it faces in 2020, and what western doctors should all know about it.
Alexa Rome
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(274)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Ever wonder what health is like for people in the Amazon? Curious about medicines and rituals deep within the rainforest? In this class we will talk about different aspects of traditional shamanism from an anthropological and ethnopharmacological perspective. Ethnopharmacology is the study of people and their medicines. We will demystify healing rituals and ceremonies, learn how shamans gain their knowledge, about promising botanical medicines (that Western medicine should probably adopt), the ways they are reviving and protecting their medicine cabinets, and how Western medicine is incorporated into their practice. You will meet some real life shamans, hear part of a cleansing ceremony, see interesting and new plants, hear about common ailments in the Amazon, and much much more!
Learning Goals
Students will learn about Indigenous Shamanism in the Amazon, learning about natural medicines, rainforest threats, and the various cultural aspects and conflicts associated with it.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will be talking about medical issues, a few psychoactive drugs, and Indigenous oppression in the Amazon. I will not be advocating for them to take any of these psychoactive drugs - in fact I will do the opposite as they have strong cultural associations. Students should never take any plant medicines without the guidance of an expert.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.8
274reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology & Human Biology from Emory University. During my time there I completed a research project on mixed medicine in the Upper Amazon through ethnographic interviews, participant observation, and external research in Peru. I am also a mestizo Peruvian-American. I have worked with Indigenous Peoples on numerous projects and consider myself an Indigenous ally. While I am mixed race, I do not suffer from the systematic issues that many other Indigenous Peoples do. This course will be taught with respect foremost, and will encourage students to view Indigenous Peoples in a decolonized way.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 16 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-12 learners per class
