Jhākri

Jhākri (Nepali: झाक्री) is the Nepali word for shaman or diviner. It is sometimes reserved specifically for practitioners of Nepali shamanism, such as that practiced among the Tamang people and the Magars; it is also used in the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, which border Nepal. The practice of using a Jhaakri as a channel or medium by a Hindu god or goddess to give solutions or answers to the questions of devotees is known as, "dhaamee (Nepali: धामी)" in Nepali.

Jhākri shamanism or dhaamee is practiced among numerous ethnic groups of Nepal and Northeast India, including the Limbu, Yakkha, Rai, Sunuwar, Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magars, Lepcha and Khas.^[1] Belief in spirits is prevalent, hence also the fear of spirit possession.^[2] Some vernacular words form jhākri are phedangba in the Limbu language, Nakchhong, Mangpa/Bijuwa in Rai, and boongthing in Lepcha.

Jhākris perform rituals during weddings, funerals, and harvests. They diagnose and cure diseases. They are also known for performing a form of voluntary spirit possession, whereby they allow the supposed spirit of the dead to possess them for a brief time thereby allowing family members to communicate for a brief period of time. The practice is called "Chinta". Their practices are influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, Mun, and Bön rites.^[3]

Mostly, Jhakri use pray items like dhyāngro, a traditional frame drum made up of animal leather banded in a hallow wood on both side, bells connected by rope. They use Mantra in Tibetan language or their own native language.