In pre-Communist times, being a shaman’s assistant was considered a respectable occupation. A good shaman’s assistant is invaluable to a shaman. Mongolian legends such as Nishan shaman show how the right assistant can make a ceremony successful while the wrong one invites disaster. Because of this, shamans like to work with people that they are familiar with.

Shaman assistant’s duties vary. Warming the drums by the fire, helping with equipment, and drumming are some of the most common duties. Shaman assistants are usually people who are very spiritual but have never had a specific calling. They do not wear specialized regalia, but often the shaman they work with gifts them with a protective talisman.

a shaman’s assistant