Devouring Perspectives: On Cannibal Shamans in Siberia.

The article discusses theoretical interpretations of ethnographic literature which proposes the idea that Siberian shamans in Tuva, Russia are cannibalistic. A discussion of the practice of shamanic cannibalism from the Amerindian perspectivism theory, which suggests that shamans see people as prey animals, is presented. The pragmatic contexts of essentialist schemas and legendary ritual practices associated with spirits who devour people are also discussed. The concepts of idealism, metaphysics, and philosophical realism are mentioned. The interpretation for an exchange of meat in the hunting idiom is noted.