Observations placeholder
Mircea Eliade - Qilaneq
Identifier
011517
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Just like kinesiology
A description of the experience
Mircea Eliade – Shamanism Archaic techniques of ecstasy
Besides the shamans, any Eskimo can consult the spirits, by the method called qilaneq. The patient is seated on the ground and his head held up by a belt. The spirits are invoked; when the head becomes heavy, it is the sign that they have come. They are then asked questions. If the head becomes still heavier, the answer is in the affirmative; if on the contrary, it seems light, the answer is negative. Women frequently employ this easy method of divination by the spirits.
The shaman sometimes practises it, using his own foot.