Manchu shamanism

Manchu folk religion or Manchu traditional religion is the ethnic religion practiced by most of the Manchu people, the major Tungusic group in China. It can also be called Manchu shamanism because the word "shaman" being originally from Tungusic šamán ("man of knowledge"),^[1] later applied by Western scholars to similar religious practices in other cultures.

It is an animistic and polytheistic religion, believing in several gods and spirits, led by a universal sky god called Abka Enduri ("Sky God" or "God of Heaven"), also referred to as Abka Han ("Sky Khan" or "Khan of Heaven") and Abka Ama ("Sky Father"), originally Abka Hehe ("Sky Woman", by extension "Sky Mother") who is the source of all life and creation.^[2] Deities (enduri) enliven every aspect of nature, and the worship of these gods is believed to bring favour, health and prosperity.^[3] Many of the deities were originally Manchu ancestors, and people with the same surname are generated by the same god.^[4]

Shamans are persons of unusual ability, strength and sensitivity, capable of perception and prediction of the ways of the gods. They are endowed with the social function of conducting sacrificial ceremonies and approach the deities asking them for intervention or protection. Because of their abilities, shamans are people of great authority and prestige. Usually, every Manchu kin has its own shaman.^[3]

Manchu folk religious rites were standardised by the Qianlong Emperor (1736–1796) in the Manchu Sacrificial Ritual to the Gods and Heaven (Manjusai wecere metere kooli bithe), a manual published in Manchu in 1747 and in Qing Mandarin (Chinese: 欽定滿洲祭神祭天典禮) in 1780.^[4][5] With the conquest of imperial power during Qing China, the Manchu gradually adopted Mandarin and assimilated into the Chinese religion, although Manchu folk religion persists with a distinct character within broader Chinese religion.