Aboriginal Men of High Degree

By A.P. Elkin and Adolphus Peter Elkin

Book Overview

The first book to reveal the secret and sacred practices of Aboriginal shamans, Aboriginal Men of High Degree presents an extraordinary series of rites by which the young Aboriginal male begins the degrees of shamanic initiation--each marked by its own portion of esoteric knowledge. One of Australia's most eminent anthropologists, A. P. Elkin focuses on karadji , or men of high degree, who possess magical powers and who serve as channels between the Dreamtime beings and their own communities. As psychologists and psychic experts, the karadji are essential to the groups' social chesion. They are believed to cure and kill mysteriously, make rain, anticipate future events, and appear and disappear at will. Not content to explain away these phenomenon, Elkin boldly suggests that we enter into the karadji worldview and try to understand this remarkable culture on its own terms.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B007D04NZS
• ISBN13: 9780892814213
• Release Date: November 1993
• Publisher: Inner Traditions International
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic book on a historical subject

I deal in Australian artifacts and associated material, as well as studying the culture and beliefs of Aboriginal Society within Australia. Living in Australia I can verify a lot of facts this book contains, fisrt hand. It is well written, concise and accurate from cover to cover. It is a good starting point for anyone interested in the world's oldest tribal customs. A lot of the facts are based on the dreaming of the aboriginals and oral history. When read one must remember that some 'facts' are beliefs of the peoples, such as being able to fly, restoring limbs to bodies etc. If you have a basic knowledge of Aboriginal 'knowledge' this is one of the best books on the subject. It deasl mainly with beliefs and customs, not glossy coffee table book items. Well worth the money!!