Music and Storytelling in the Tuvan Shamanic World

This article discusses the interaction of music and storytelling with shamanism in Tuva, when practiced by shamans, and also by other people. The arts form an important layer of the shamanic context, which is today out of balance in part because outsiders focus so strongly on shamans and throat-singing, ignoring other cultural areas. Important aspects of storytelling are imagery, spiritual geography, the soul journey, and the persona of the teller. Music also contributes imagery and sound healing. It creates a bridge to the spiritual world and calls spirits through timbres produced with instruments and the voice