Final answer:
Shamanism involves shamans entering altered states to interact with the supernatural, often for healing or prophecy, which is also linked to the spiritual power of chiefs. Chiefdoms centralize control over resources and validate leadership through religious practices. Animism, related to shamanism, attributes spiritual essence to all things and is integral to many religions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shamanism is an early form of religion that involves practitioners, known as shamans, who can enter altered states of consciousness to engage in direct communication with the supernatural. This shamanic power is often associated with healing and divination within indigenous communities. In certain societies, such as the ! Kung San of Central Africa, shamanic practices are deeply embedded into the culture, with practices like the n/um tchai medicine dance being crucial for healing. Shamanism extends beyond healthcare, aiding in tasks such as locating animals for hunters by "getting into the mind of the animal." Similarly, chiefs in various societies are believed to possess supernatural powers that legitimize their leadership roles, as seen in the Asante and Hawaiian chiefdoms who conduct rituals for communal benefit.
An important feature of chiefdoms is the control over economic resources like land and trade, as well as the promotion of a moral and religious ideology to support their rule. As leadership roles become hereditary, a dominant lineage in the community may form, sometimes developing into regional empires. Shamanism can also serve as a culturally accepted way to integrate individuals who may exhibit symptoms such as anxiety or moodiness, as seen among the Chukchi people in northern Russia. Animism, closely related to shamanism, is the belief that all things, living and non-living, possess a spiritual essence. Initially thought to be a simple precursor to more complex religions, it is now understood that animism and shamanism are sophisticated and integral parts of many religious practices worldwide, even as societies grow more complex.