| Comment | After considering the apparent context and the subsequent postings, I would also cast my vote for a translation to "Heiler," or, alternatively, "Medizinmann."
CJ de voiced my own concerns regarding the typical scope of a shaman's activities better than I did. Given that, it's probably best to avoid the term "Schamane" altogether. On the other hand, I do think that the distinction between "Schamane" and "Medizinmann" is not at all clear, either. In fact, one probably could argue that "Medizinmann" is but another term for "Schamane," and thus, we still have the obvious problem that a "Schamane/Medizinmann" typically, in real life, is responsible for healing as well as spiritual welfare. After all, shamanistic societies do not typically distinguish between healing/medicine and spiritual concerns, as far as I know. That very distinction is modern and has no (or at least little) place in premodern societies (at least, there is no sharp distinction).
Thus, I'd say "Heiler," as Alexander suggested, and secondarily, "Medizinmann," as arbeD and CJ de put it, keeping in mind that we are probably drawing academic distinctions that need not apply to the particular fiction at hand. |
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