Literate Shamanism in Southwestern China

International audienceThe classical definition of shamanism is based on the Siberian example, which excludes the use of writing. For this reason shamanism is usually associated with orality. Contrary to such a generally held view, we find a certain form of shamanism in southwestern China which is based on a secret and exclusively ritual writing. Ensuring a link between the human world and that of the spirits, this writing, which is also a vital substance, is effective if chanted and accompanied by blood sacrifices. Since the 19th century, this ‘literate shamanism’ has had some contact with the Catholic religion. More recently, the central authorities have used the ritual writing to wield power over shamans and their ethnic group. The interaction between this writing-oriented belief system, a religion based on a sacred book (Catholic Christianity), and the State tends to generate new forms of shamanism