In the rich tapestry of human culture, shaking rituals and ceremonies hold a profound significance. They are the threads that weave communities together, offering a glimpse into the beliefs, values, and traditions that shape societies.
Among the myriad of rituals practiced by indigenous tribes around the world, shaking rituals stand out as captivating and deeply symbolic practices. These ceremonies, often rooted in spiritual beliefs and ancient traditions, hold a special place in the cultural heritage of numerous indigenous communities.
In this blog I explore some of these fascinating shaking rituals across different continents and contemplate the parallels between the shaking practice within TRE®.
Shaking Medicine of the Shakers
In North America, the Shakers, a religious sect that emerged in the 18th century, are perhaps the most well-known practitioners of shaking rituals. The Shakers believed in communal living, celibacy, and equality of the sexes. Central to their spiritual practices was the ecstatic shaking dance, also known as "shaking medicine" or "the dance of Mother Ann", who was the founder of the sect. During worship, Shakers would enter a state of ecstatic trance, shaking and dancing fervently as a manifestation of divine inspiration and connection with the divine.
Engraving depicting a group of Shakers dancing (1840). Credit: National Park Service
Yanomami Shamanism: The Shabono Rituals
Deep in the Amazon rainforest, the Yanomami people, one of the largest indigenous tribes in South America, practice shamanism as a core aspect of their spiritual tradition. In their Shabono, or communal dwelling, shamans perform intricate rituals involving chanting, hallucinogenic substances, and shaking to communicate with the spirit world and heal ailments. The shaking, often induced by ingesting psychoactive plants like ayahuasca, is believed to facilitate spiritual journeying and transformation.
Photo credit: Claudia Andujar/Survival
Tibetan Buddhist Chöd Practice
In the high plateaus of Tibet, Buddhist monks engage in the Chöd practice, a profound ritual aimed at cutting through the ego and confronting one's deepest fears. Chöd practitioners often perform a form of ritualised shaking called "gcod" or "chöd dance," where they use ritual instruments like drums and bells to accompany their movements. Through this practice, practitioners seek to transcend attachment to the self and achieve enlightenment.
Recently, the creator of TRE®, Dr. David Berceli, posted a video of The Tsoknyi Nuns in Nepal chanting while doing the shaking practice of TRE® to combine both movement and sound to enhance the vibrations. Watch it here!
African Spirit Possession and Trance Dance
Across the diverse cultures of Africa, spirit possession and trance dance are integral components of religious and healing ceremonies. In many African societies, individuals enter trance states through rhythmic dancing and shaking, allowing them to communicate with ancestral spirits, receive divine guidance, and facilitate healing for the community. These shaking rituals, practiced by communities such as the Kalahari people of Southern Africa, serve as conduits for spiritual power and collective healing, reaffirming the interconnectedness of humans and the spirit world.
Photo credit: TAMKARA FROM ỌDÚNÌFẸ́
Australian Aboriginal Corroboree
In the vast expanse of the Outback in my home country of Australia, Aboriginal communities uphold ancient traditions through Corroboree ceremonies. These gatherings, characterised by song, dance, and storytelling, serve as expressions of cultural identity and spiritual connection to the land. Within the context of corroboree, dancers often engage in rhythmic shaking movements, symbolising their reverent relationship with the natural world and ancestral spirits.
Photo credit: Corroboree Under The Stars
The Universal Language of Shaking Rituals
Shaking rituals transcend geographical boundaries and cultural differences, embodying a universal language of spiritual expression and communal bonding. Whether performed in the lush rainforests of South America, the remote villages of Tibet, or the arid landscapes of Australia, these rituals speak to the human quest for meaning, transcendence, and interconnectedness with the cosmos.
As I reflect on the diverse shaking practices of indigenous tribes around the world, I am reminded of the profound wisdom embedded in our bodies and in these ancient traditions and struck by how much we can learn from them today.
Whilst the involuntary shaking of TRE® is practiced in a completely different context, I see many parallels around the benefits of both voluntary shaking in a cultural or ceremonial context to the workshops and group TRE® shakes I facilitate and this is something I am aiming to build on.
Shaking as a group reminds us of the importance of honouring our connections to our body and the natural world, cultivating spiritual awareness, and embracing the transformative power of ritualistic practices. In an increasingly fragmented and disconnected world, the shaking rituals of indigenous cultures serve as timeless reminders of our shared humanity and the enduring spirit of human resilience and creativity.
Want to shake with me? Book an appointment here!
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