2008-11-06 萨满文化悄然复兴

The Russian Republic of Tuva, surrounded by mountains, has always been isolated¹ from the outside world. From the 14th century, Buddhism² has coexisted with shamanism as the country’s official religions. But a generation of shamans was lost after the Soviet³ Union annexed⁴ Tuva in 1944 on Stalin's orders. The government set about eliminating the religions with mass executions and deportations. Some shamans continued practicing secretly, preventing the complete loss of the religion and its various traditions.

Now Tuva’s leaders are rebuilding the Buddhist⁵ temples of the past and rediscovering the country’s lost culture and traditions.

We want to preserve this culture, but at the same time attract representatives of other nations to come and study here.

After being isolated for so long, the country is interested in welcoming foreigners to Tuva so they too can learn its history and traditions.

One such foreigner is A.U. He’s studied throat- singing or Hoomei for several years with Tuva masters and now offers throat-singing workshops at home in Portland, Oregon. 

At this shaman clinic, six shamans offer help with medical and psychological illnesses. In Tuva, a shaman incorporates wisdom, magic and medicine. Both men and women can be shamans and the gift is believed to be passed from generation to generation.

For the most part, shamanism is passed from generation to generation. Sometimes the heavens themselves choose a person, sometimes the heavenly or earthly gods choose a person, that’s called shine.

To help the people, the shaman uses calls of indigenous⁶ animals, Hoomei, the drum and the trance. Often the shaman claims to feel the pain of the patient.

Of course it’s difficult. People come to us with different illnesses, unhappy people and we have to help them. It’s very hard sometimes. We have to suffer constantly ourselves to help them resolve their problems.

In this rural world, it appears there is a strong longing⁷ for a new identity, one that’s based on the old. And for the people of Tuva, that may mean the restoration of their spiritual history.

1 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

2 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

3 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

4 annexed   

[法] 附加的，附属的

参考例句：

• Germany annexed Austria in 1938. 1938年德国吞并了奥地利。
• The outlying villages were formally annexed by the town last year. 那些偏远的村庄于去年正式被并入该镇。

5 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

6 indigenous   

adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的

参考例句：

• Each country has its own indigenous cultural tradition.每个国家都有自己本土的文化传统。
• Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America.印第安人是美洲的土著居民。

7 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。