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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. Shamans typically utilize crystals as:

2. In the Jivaro tradition, the identity of a power animal is what?

3. When the Coastal Salish wear masks and dance their spirit guardians, what does Harner call this practice?

4. Why do the Jivaro and other shamanic tribes believe in waking up a person gently?

5. Among some Plains Indians tribes, it is believed that those who don't have a guardian animal spirit lack what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harner recommend for novice shamans trying to communicate with guardian spirit animals?

2. Why should a shaman avoid trying to heal when he or she is feeling dis-spirited?

3. How did Essie Parrish, a California Pomo Indian, acquire her first power song?

4. Describe what Harner writes about the mythical past link between humans and animals.

5. What is the bone game?

6. Why does a power animal need to be danced regularly?

7. Describe what Harner refers to as the "Calling The Beasts" ritual.

8. What are power objects, and what are they for?

9. Explain what the author is saying when he speaks of Coyote and Raven as groups or species.

10. In the power restoration exercise presented to the reader in Chapter 5, what typically happens when the participant goes through the tunnel and reaches the Lowerworld?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harner explains that in most shamanic cultures, it's important that people are woken up slowly. Explain why. Also, explain the connection between the belief that power animals travel and the reason for waking someone up gradually.

Essay Topic 2

An important job the shaman does is restore power to a sick individual by retrieving his or her power animal.

1. Define power in the context of shamanism. What is its importance or value?

2. How does the presence or absence of power affect the health and welfare of a person?

3. How does a power animal help an individual? What happens when the person "loses" his or her power animal?

4. How does a shaman's act of retrieving a power animal help a patient?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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