ON THE SEMANTICS OF SHAMANIC MAGICAL RITUALS

This article explores the worldview underlying shamanic healing rituals, focusing on traditional conceptions of the origin of illness, shamanic mythology, and the functions of the shaman. It explains the role of shamanic rituals in the healing process through several key factors, including psychotherapy and psychological influence, the placebo (belief) effect, and the use of medicinal herbs and natural remedies. Drawing upon examples from Uzbek shamanic practice, the study demonstrates that these rituals integrate spiritual, psychological, and practical therapeutic elements into a unified system of healing.