![Sample our Area Studies journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5922/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Area-Studies.jpg"})
Abstract
There are an extremely large number of shamans scattered throughout the countryside of the border regions. Their main occupation is cheating the people they claim to serve. According to an incomplete investigation there are basically seven types:
1. the spirit masters [shenguan]
2. the female shaman [shipo]
3. the general medium involved in curing the ill [wushen]
4. the exorcist [fashi]
5. the diviner [mengxian]
6. the soul-catcher [qiansong]
7. a possessed medium [majiao]
The sexes of the shamans vary by type. The spirit master and the exorcist are always male. The shipo is always female. The rest can be either male or female.