Indigenous Belief Systems in Central Asia

Indigenous Belief Systems in Central Asia on Transcendent Divine Intervention and Incorporation of Magic, Divination, and Natural Healing Practices

This research project focuses on the intersection of modern biomedicine, traditional healing rituals, and indigenous medical practices in Central Asia, and situates the region's diverse forms of knowledge and practices related to health and healing within Zoroastrian and Islamic healing systems.

This contextualization provides historical and religious context for understanding Central Asia's indigenous belief systems on transcendent divine intervention, incorporation of magic, divination, and the healing properties of natural elements. 

The research is anchored in understanding the healer's persona, a person endowed by the transcendence powers to mediate between humans and spiritual forces. Through examination of the mystical experiences where ordinary humans can attain supernatural clairvoyant and healing powers, the project offers an analytical portrait of the perception and integration of these spiritual experiences in local healthcare and the formation of the collective belief in transcendence. 

The project challenges the usage of the terms "shaman," "shamanic," and "Shamanism" to describe traditional healing practices in Central Asia. It is argued that the terms shaman, shamanic, and Shamanism, commonly used in reference to traditional healing practices, do not accurately convey the deeply rooted perceptions and concepts of spiritual healing and health practice in the region. 

Through an ethnolinguistic examination of various indigenous vocabularies and terms, the project demonstrates the unique and specific indigenous experiences that are not conveyed by these terms. Notably, most local healers and populations do not refer to themselves or their practices using these terms. Instead, they employ indigenous terminologies that better align with their deeply held beliefs and concepts of spiritual healing and health practices. 

Project point person: Barakatullo Ashurov, Research Associate