A shaman in Mongolia is not only a spiritual leader but also a guardian of invisible worlds. Known as böö for men and udgan for women, the shaman is believed to possess the power to communicate directly with spirits, ancestors, and natural forces. Through trance and sacred rituals, the shaman travels beyond the physical realm, acting as a bridge between humans and the divine.

In Mongolian belief, every element of the world — the mountains, rivers, winds, and stars — is alive and filled with spiritual energy. The shaman’s mission is to maintain harmony among these forces, to heal the sick, to cleanse misfortunes, and to protect the balance of life. The presence of a shaman in a community symbolizes an unbroken connection with the ancestors and the eternal spirits of nature.

How a Shaman is Chosen

A shaman is never self-appointed. According to ancient Mongolian tradition, the spirits themselves choose who will carry their messages. This calling often comes in mysterious and sometimes painful ways.

Many shamans describe experiencing what is known as the “shaman’s illness” — an unexplained period of suffering that may include vivid dreams, visions, hearing voices, or physical weakness. Doctors may find no cause. The person might feel they are losing their mind, but in spiritual understanding, this is the moment when the spirits are testing and awakening their soul.

If the person accepts the call and agrees to serve, the illness disappears and is replaced by new strength. If they resist, the pain often continues, as the spirits do not easily withdraw their choice.

Some shamans inherit their gift through family lineage. The spirits of their ancestors — called ongod — remain attached to the bloodline and may choose one descendant to continue the sacred duty. Others are called spontaneously, even without a shamanic family background, proving that the will of the spirits cannot be predicted.

The Path of Becoming a Shaman

Once chosen, the person begins a long period of learning and transformation under the guidance of an experienced master shaman. This process can take years. It is not just about rituals, but about shaping the mind and spirit.

The apprentice must learn how to control trance, summon and dismiss spirits, interpret visions, and protect themselves during journeys between worlds. They memorize ancient chants, songs, and prayers — sacred languages passed down for centuries. The rhythm of the drum, the vibration of the voice, and the beat of the heart must become one.

During initiation, the new shaman receives ritual objects: a drum symbolizing the heartbeat of the Earth, a mirror (toli) for protection and reflection, and a costume decorated with iron, feathers, bones, and leather. Each ornament represents a spiritual power or protective force. When the shaman wears it, they become a living link between heaven and earth.

Receiving the Spirit

When a shaman performs a ceremony, they enter a trance — a deep spiritual state where their soul travels to the upper or lower worlds. The drumbeat quickens, the chanting grows stronger, and the shaman’s consciousness begins to shift. In this state, they are said to be “ridden” or “possessed” by the spirit they serve.

The spirit speaks through the shaman’s mouth, moves their body, and sees through their eyes. The shaman becomes a vessel through which divine messages flow. Sometimes the spirit’s voice changes tone or language; it may speak in ancient Mongolian or a spiritual tongue that only the translator understands.

When the trance ends, the shaman returns to ordinary awareness, exhausted but renewed. The spirit’s message — advice, warning, or blessing — is then conveyed to those present, often through a translator who has learned to interpret the sacred words.

The Life and Discipline of a Shaman

Being a shaman is not a profession; it is a lifelong commitment. A true shaman must live in purity, humility, and service. They regularly perform rituals to honor their spirits, maintain offerings at sacred places, and help people who come to them for healing or guidance.

A shaman’s life is often solitary. They spend much time in nature — by rivers, mountains, or under open skies — communicating with unseen forces. They follow strict rules: abstaining from certain foods, controlling emotions, and maintaining spiritual cleanliness.

Shamans do not “meditate” in the Buddhist sense, but they cultivate deep concentration and spiritual stillness. Through rhythmic drumming and breathing, they enter inner silence, which allows them to sense the movements of the invisible world.

The Mission of the Shaman

Every shaman’s path is unique, yet they all share one purpose — to restore harmony between people, spirits, and nature. Whether through healing, divination, or rituals of protection, the shaman acts as a guardian of balance.

They are not priests who serve a temple, but wanderers of the spirit, guided by ancient knowledge and intuition. When misfortune strikes a family, or when crops fail, or when the soul of the deceased must find peace, the community turns to the shaman.

To witness a shaman in ceremony is to see one of Mongolia’s oldest traditions alive — a sacred moment where fire, rhythm, and spirit unite.