Folk deities and Practice of Shamanism in Himalayan Region of West Bengal and Sikkim, India
Authors/Creators
- 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, U.P. India.
Description
Abstract: One of the central features of folk religions, accepted by most of the folklorists, is the earthly origin of their deities. Unlike the 'classical deities' who originate in a trans- spatio-temporal world, and descend upon the earth on a stereological mission, folk deities originate in a spatio-temporal historical context, at a very specific turn of events whence they acquire trans-human powers. They, then, progressively get divinised. Unlike the a-historical divinities of classical religion, folk deities are originally historical persons who, by their valour and courage, make an extraordinary impact on the social history of the people. Oral traditions of quite a few deities point to the fact that they were persons who deeply pulsated with the life of the community.