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What role did tiger spirits play in Malayan shamanism?
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Shamanism
Korean shamans, or mudang, performing a ritual dance in South Korea.
In Malayan shamanism, the tiger spirit holds a significant role as a central element of the shaman's practice. The calling forth of the tigerās spirit is considered a distinctive mark of this tradition.1
During rituals, shamans may seek to achieve a trance state known as lupa. In this state, the spiritsāincluding the tiger spiritāare believed to seize and possess the shaman. Once possessed, the shaman acts as a medium, allowing the spirits to speak through them to answer questions posed by the audience. Additionally, the influence of Indo-Malayan beliefs is evident in traditions where shamans are said to possess the ability to change into tigers.1