beliefs . With no religious belief I sit anticipating the next move as drums and bells begin to chime , I ’ m transfixed by the rhythm and respectful of the experience .
It ’ s clear that these men are well respected within the community , their ability to adjudge moral authority of faith and general advice is important to the people yet , it goes beyond the Earthly world . Shaman are a mouthpiece between us and the supernatural world , and through trance are able to leave this world and enter a state where he can speak with ancestors or let the ancestors enter him to communicate with their descendants and loved ones .
The beating of the drums , the tambourine like dhyangro , becomes louder , somewhat wilder , the middle of the shaman begins to look different , his eyes watch but seem not to see , his body shakes the convulses . The crowd , both local and foreign , falls silent . What are we witnessing ?
The shaman suddenly screams out and reaches for the fire , he angrily grabs a burning log deep within the embers and flames . He kicks out and a small pot on the fire flies my way . It ’ s a commotion that takes me by surprise , the shaman stands and begins dancing to the beat , his fellow religious men follow suit . We all stand and without dancing feel we are a part of the ritual .
The shaman falls to the ground as suddenly as he stood , his body convulsing as his face is buried within the dust , his body becomes lifeless , his face contorted in a way that seems unnatural .
I hear a whelp of surprise and realise it has come from my own body , the shaman ’ s eyes flicked open and stared right into my soul . It caught me by surprise as does his sudden movement , the convulsing intensifies and he jumps to his feet , more dancing , more chanting … and as suddenly as the seemingly violent
TRAVERSE 149