Cosmopolitanism, Neo-Shamans and Contemporary Māori Healers in New Zealand

Abstract

Sanson considers the eclectic practices of neo-shamans in New Zealand and the ways in which they blend diverse influences to create innovative, fluid forms of twenty-first-century shamanism. Although their practices may resemble those of other neo-shamans, their rootedness in Aotearoa/New Zealand and interactions with Māori healers have enabled a unique neo-shamanism to evolve. Sanson describes how some contemporary Māori healers, who might be regarded as indigenous shamans grounded in a cosmological blend of monotheism, polytheism and animism, are sharing their indigenous knowledge with any who wish to learn. She examines the interplay of indigenous Māori spirituality and healing, the role of tohunga (spiritual leaders and healers), New Zealand’s colonial history and the contemporary global context, all of which contribute to shaping contemporary Māori healing practices.