THE SHAMAN AS CUSTODIAN OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: A CASE STUDY OF KULLU DISTRICT

Tarun Thakur , Sushma Rewal Chugh

Shamanism, Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Devta Institution, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Kullu Valley, Stakeholder Theory, Epistemic Sovereignty, Phenomenology

This paper analyzes the function of shaman (Goor) as the principal guardians of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), specifically within the localized socio-cultural context of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, India. There is a lot of research on Himalayan shamanism in anthropology, but not much on how it interacts with the UNESCO ICH domains when looked at only through the eyes of indigenous ritual authorities who run their own communities. This qualitative exploratory study fills in the gaps by focusing on the voices of the Devta institution's functionaries, such as the Goor (shaman), Kardar (administrator), Pujari (priest), and Deulu (ritual assistants). The study utilizes Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Reflexive Thematic Analysis with NVivo software, based on in-depth interviews with 28 participants from 12 villages, complemented by extensive participant observation at internal community ritual events. The results are fully mapped onto the five UNESCO ICH domains, showing how embodied knowledge, oral traditions, and traditional craftsmanship make up a living, self-sustaining system for preserving heritage. In addition, four main themes come to light: (1) The Shaman as Living Archive, which shows how somatic and emplaced knowledge keeps local history alive; (2) The Sacred Agrarian Economy, which shows how the community's internal gift logic works; (3) Secrecy as Epistemic Sovereignty, which shows how keeping sacred knowledge secret protects it; and (4) Intergenerational Transmission, which shows how people use internal strategies to deal with secular modernity. The idea of "Ritual Stakeholders" adds to stakeholder theory by saying that these actors are legitimate entirely from divine mandate. Policy implications suggest that Devta (Deity) institutions should be included in local heritage preservation plans so that the community can keep full control over its Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

Volume 14 Issue 2, February-2026

Pages : g731-g745