The generalization of the field material collected by the author allowed to identify two groups of interrelated factors that form the mentality of those Nanai people who practice shamanism. There were two principles identified, the goal-setting and detecting the resources required to achieve the desired results. On the one hand, an irrational worldview, the idea of the accessibility of the space of the spiritual world and the characters inhabiting it (spirits), is specific to the mentality of shamanists. On the other hand, the basis of the mentality of shamanists is the priority of the principle of pragmatism (utility), that is, the desire to consider the spiritual invisible reality as a resource available for solving those problems that arise in the real physical world. The mentality formed at the intersection of the principles of irrationality and utility has a significant sociogenetic potential, its effect extends to those aspects of the socio-cultural reality that are outside of the actual shamanic practice. The desire to benefit from communication with the spiritual world stimulates shamanic activity and determines correlations between various events of shamanic practice. In particular, as shown in the article, in a traditional society, relatively isolated from external influences, it contributes to the actualization of clan identity. The novelty of the study is due to the use of cultural analysis of the field materials collected by the author, which allowed us to consider the formation of the mentality of shamanists as a result of the action of interrelated and specific factors for shamanic praxis – the features of goal-setting and ideas about the means available to shamanists to achieve the actual goals. The principle of the formation of mentality in the shamanic society revealed by the author has methodological value, allowing to obtain special knowledge about the laws and principles of shamanic practice, which are manifested in the shamanic society in various spheres of socio-cultural activity outside of shamanic rituals as such.

Keywords: Nanai mentality, formation of mentality, shamanism, instrumental values

DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662.2021.3.70-77

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About the author

Tatiana D. Bulgakova – DSc (Cultural Studies), Professor of the Department of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia; 30 Stachek Ave., St. Petersburg, 198097, Russia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.