Shamanic charm - Nanai - Siberia

In the vast stretches of the Great North—from Siberia to Alaska, via Greenland and Canada's Inuit territories—the practice of shamanism and the use of masks occupy a central place in spirituality and community life. These traditions, deeply rooted in the relationship with nature and spirits, reflect a worldview where humans, animals and invisible forces are closely linked.

Shamanism: a bridge between worlds

The shaman, a key figure in these societies, acts as an intermediary between the living and the spirits. Through rituals, songs, drums and trances, he travels in altered states of consciousness to heal illnesses, calm spirits or ensure hunting success. In Siberia, for example, Yakut or Evenk shamans wear costumes adorned with symbols and accessories like reindeer-skin drums to invoke spirits. Among the Inuit, the angakkuq (shaman) plays a similar role, often in relation to *Sedna*, the goddess of the sea, to guarantee the abundance of marine resources.

Masks: objects of transformation and protection

Masks, carved from wood, ivory or bone, are powerful ritual tools. They represent animal spirits (such as the bear, raven or whale), ancestors or supernatural entities. Worn during seasonal ceremonies or rites of passage, they allow the wearer — often the shaman — to embody these forces and communicate with them.

- **In Alaska and among the Yupiks**, the *yua* masks are used during winter festivities to honor the hunting spirits and ensure the return of game.
- **In Siberia**, the masks of the Chukotks or Koryaks serve to drive away bad spirits or to celebrate the cycles of nature.
- **Among the Inuit**, some masks, such as those from the *drum dance*, symbolize the connection with marine spirits and the protection of hunters.

A living heritage

Although these practices have been threatened by colonization and religious missions, they are experiencing a revival today. Contemporary artists of the Great North reinterpret traditional masks, while communities reinvest in shamanic rituals to preserve their identity and their bond with the earth.

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