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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Harner point out about the Lakota Sioux and the Coast Salish tribes?

2. Harner's reports of the rituals, symbols, and visions of the different tribes he observes are what?

3. How does a shaman typically travel into the Lowerworld?

4. What are guardian spirits known as in Australia?

5. With the help of spirit helpers and two tsentak inside his mouth, the shaman can help the patient by:

Short Essay Questions

1. In the step-by-step instructions for going on a first shamanic journey that the author supplies for the reader in Chapter 2, how does he ask the participant to prepare?

2. Discuss what Harner says about the humility of shamanism?

3. Describe the tunnel a shaman utilizes to journey into the Lowerworld.

4. How does Harner say that a shaman can be distinguished from other medicine men?

5. Describe the spirit helpers known as tsentak.

6. Describe Harner's journey with Akachu.

7. Harner compares rock-seeing to what Western practices?

8. What are some of the similarities Harner notes in first-hand shamanic experiences reported by middle-class Americans?

9. Describe Harner's experience of spiritually going to a cave beneath a waterfall with a Jivaro shaman.

10. What is the participant of the exercise in Chapter 2 instructed regarding the end of the journey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why would a Westerner with no prior experience with shamanistic practices develop an interest in them? How might he or she benefit from knowing and practicing some of these rituals? What precautions might he or she need to take?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the journey the author takes with Akachu, the Jivaro shaman, detailed in Chapter 1. Can you tell which parts of the journey are literal and which are figurative? What clues reveal the literary portions? The figurative parts?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the purpose of the shaman working with the following conditions or tools:

1. In total or partial darkness.

2. With drumming, chanting, and rattles.

3. Using plants.

(see the answer keys)

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