article

Rivalry and solidarity among Uyghur healers in Kazakhstan

Inner Asia • 3 (1) • Published In 2001 • Pages: 71-96

By: Bellér-Hann, Ildikó.

Abstract

Uyghur healers rely on spirit possession, acting as mediums between human and spirit worlds. They employ both ancestral spirits and those of the Muslim saints, reflecting a mix of traditional Inner Asian shamanistic practices and Islamic beliefs. Healers can treat both social problems and physical symptoms. They apprentice with an established healer to help "open up the way," and must obtain blessings from Islamic saints and holy persons before becoming full-fledged healers. This work is a study of three Uyghur healers living in a diasporic community in Kazakhstan made up of two groups: descendants of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century immigrants, and those who came in the 1960s. The former. "local Uyghurs," are more educated and adapted to Russian ways. The latter, "Chinese Uyghurs," are considered more traditional, and authentically Uyghur. The author discusses the life histories and different healing styles and methods of healers from both communities, finding that although the Chinese Uyghur healers might be considered more authentic, the local Uyghur healers are more successful because of their wider and deeper social connections.

HRAF PubDate

2023

Region

Asia

Sub Region

Central Asia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard; 2014

Field Date

1997

Coverage Date

1997

Coverage Place

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Notes

Ildikó Bellér-Hann

Healers are indexed according to ocm's for "Shamans and psychotherapists" (756) and "Magicians and diviners" (791),

Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-96)

LCCN

sn 99033632

LCSH

Uighur (Turkic people)