Shamanic healing through sounds
Shamanism, often considered the oldest of the healing professions, uses voice, drum and rattles to communicate with the spirit world, seeking its positive healing energy for a patient. The human voice is the most common medium used to summon the spirit worlds.
In our Native American cultures, specific ‘songs’ are used for healing and are passed down from one generation to the next. Each culture, having its own traditions, also has its songs.
When you first hear a shaman’s song, you can’t help but feel that all the words sound the same. Much of this may be due to imitation in movies and TV shows. The standard song seems to be “Ah Hey Ya” or something similar to “Ye Ha No Ha”. A careful listening reveals that the sounds are the vowel sounds of A, E, IO and U. The sound of each vowel is elongated and is sung with a specific intention: the intention to cure a sick patient. Each vowel has its own meaning.
As tradition dictates, all four directions are recognized. The vowel A represents Earth and refers to the North direction. E represents Air and the direction of East; I represents Fire and the South direction, O represents Water and the West direction. The vowel of O represents the ether and significantly refers to being near. Once the four directions and the ether are recognized, the vowel sounds change in use and meaning. The vowel sound A is for purification, while I emphasizes our relationship with all things (living and non-living), E brings a connection to the spirit world, and U brings the shaman into the presence of spirit. Or invoke the idea of innocence.
During the song, the shaman can be accompanied by a drumbeat or the sound of a bell. An assistant can beat the drum or shake the bells. During this time, the shaman may dance around the patient.
Thanks to modern science, we have a better understanding of what the physical aspects of sound have in the human being. Simply, all things are vibrating molecules. When we are sick, those vibrations get out of sync. The shaman and his chant and his drums connect to that vibration and realign the natural harmonics of the body; thus, allowing him to heal himself.
Norman W. Wilson, Ph.D.