Far Away Drums. Some Notes on Affinities and Divergences Between Contemporary Examples of Shamanism in Nepal and Mongolia

Taking into account some data, as observed during fieldwork in Nepal (2006- 2015) and Mongolia (2000-2019) and corroborated by ethnographic literature, this paper aims to highlight some similarities and divergences pertaining to ideas and practices in the two contexts presented in the following paragraphs. Elements here taken into account include theoretical aspects of so-called shamanic practices, as defined by shamans themselves, i.e. worldview, initiations, relations with ancestors and local deities, paraphernalia etc. and social, cultural and political aspects that shamanic practice entails in contemporary Nepalese and Mongolian societies, in- cluding the complex relation of opposition and complementarity with Tibetan Buddhism.