Features of the Development of Shamanism Among the Buryats of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China

Shamanism is a traditional belief system of the Buryats, characterized by developed doctrines and complex practices. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Buddhism began spreading in Buryatia, leading to a syncretism of Buryat shamanism and Buddhism, which influenced the evolution of shamanism. A specific group of modern Buryats remains adherents of shamanism, although the majority have become Lamaists. During field studies, the author observed traditional shamanic rituals, including initiation ceremonies, shamanic attire and tools, traditional rituals for animal liberation, sacrificial ceremonies, shamanic healing, and more—all of which have a distinctly ethnic character. This study attempts to characterize the features of the revival of Buryat shamanism in China, compare it with similar processes in Buryatia, and examine the integration of shamanism and Lamaist practices.