Old wooden tribal statue of a shaman, Nepal, mid 20th century

Wooden statue of a shaman holding a large drum to his chest. This is a tribal, intensively used statue that stood in the home of the shaman and served as protection. The whitish cast is caused by the many offerings with yak milk. Beautiful patina and appropriate traces of age and use. The statue is placed on a metal base. See the pictures!

Length: 37 cm, including foot 38 cm
Weight: 659 grams
Origin: Nepal
Date: mid 20th century

Jhākri (Nepali: झाक्री) is the Nepalese word for shaman or fortune teller. It is sometimes specifically reserved for practitioners of Nepalese shamanism, as practiced among the Tamang people and the Magars; it is also used in the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, which border Nepal. The practice of using a Jhaakri as a channel or medium through which a Hindu god or goddess provides solutions or answers to devotees' questions is known in Nepali as "dhaamee (Nepali: धामी)".

Jhākri shamanism or dhaamee is practiced among numerous ethnic groups in Nepal and Northeast India, including the Limbu, Rai, Sunwar, Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magars, Lepcha and Khas.[1] Belief in spirits prevails, hence also the fear of spirit possession.[2] Some local words for jhākri are phedangbo in the Limbu language, Nakchhong, Mangpa / Bijuwa in Rai and boongthing in Lepcha.

Jhākris perform rituals during weddings, funerals and harvests. They diagnose and heal illnesses. They are also known for performing a form of voluntary spirit possession, allowing the alleged spirit of the dead to possess them for a short time, enabling family members to communicate for a brief period. The practice is called "Chinta". Their practices are influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, Mun and Bön rituals.[3]

Jhakri typically use prayer items such as dhyāngro, a traditional frame drum made of animal hide, strung on both sides with sacred wood, bells connected by rope. They use Mantras in the Tibetan language or their own native language.