its effect.
These techniques of traditional Shamanism are all found in the Shamanism of the Chukchee of Siberia. Prior to the Chukchee Shamans performances, a mixture of tobacco and wood is smoked, a tradition which can be traced back to the Tungus Shamans. Use of stimulants/relaxants prior to performance is feature of Shamanism and is related to the concept of Shamanic ecstasy. To Chukchee, this idea is expressed by the word ‘an-na’arkin’ (He Sinks), and is related to the Shamans ability to employ ecstasy as a tool by which to enter other worlds and communicate with spirits. It is this characteristic moment of ecstasy and the sinking into trance which follows it that marks the beginning of the Shamanic journey. Today, among the Chukchee, trances as deep as this are rarely witnessed, a fact which the Chukchee attribute to the Shamans of the past having greater skill than those in modern times.
One of the most important features in traditional Shamanism is the use of percussion, which Needham has stated as being vital to provide the transition of states in Shamanic performances. The rhythmic noise produced by the drumming and repetitive chanting of the Chukchee Shaman is necessary for the production of trance in both the audience and the Shaman, and is an essential feature of communication with the Other world.
In looking at contemporary Shamanism of the pagan/heathen movements, two groups have been chosen, the Bond of the Grae Wolf, which is an international organisation with a practicing group within New Zealand, and Ásatrú, which is similar to the Bond of the Grae Wolf in some ways, and in others very different. Both the Bond of the Grae Wolf and Ásatrú follow the tradition of