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{{short description|Shaman in Nepal and Northeast India}}
{{Main|Oracle}}
[[File:Tamang Jhakri.jpg|thumb|A Nepali jhākri with a [[dhyāngro]], a traditional [[frame drum]] and dancing in their ritual song.]]
[[File:Jhakri.jpg|thumb|A jhākri in [[Kalimpong]], [[West Bengal]], India]]
[[File:Figures_of_the_Jhakri_culture_inside_Banjhakri_Falls,_Sikkim.jpg|thumb|Statues of jhākri at [[Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park]] in [[Gangtok]], [[Sikkim]], India]]
'''Jhākri''' ({{langx|ne|झाक्री}}) is the [[Nepali language|Nepali]] word for [[shaman]] or [[divination|diviner]]. It is sometimes reserved specifically for practitioners of Nepali shamanism, such as that practiced among the [[Tamang people]] and the [[Magars]]; it is also used in the [[States and territories of India|Indian states]] of [[Sikkim]] and [[West Bengal]], which border [[Nepal]]. The practice of using a ''Jhaakri'' as a channel or medium by a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god or goddess to give solutions or answers to the questions of devotees is known as, "dhaamee ({{langx|ne|धामी}})" in Nepali.
Jhākri shamanism or ''dhaamee'' is practiced among numerous [[ethnic group]]s of Nepal and [[Northeast India]], including the [[Limbu people|Limbu]], [[Yakkha people|Yakkha]], [[Rai people|Rai]], [[Sunuwar people|Sunuwar]], [[Sherpa people|Sherpa]], [[Tamang people|Tamang]], [[Gurung people|Gurung]], [[Magars]], [[Lepcha people|Lepcha]] and [[Khas]].<ref>{{harvnb |Gulia |2005 |pp=153–4}}</ref> Belief in spirits is prevalent, hence also the fear of [[spirit possession]].<ref>{{harvnb |Gulia |2005 |p=152}}</ref>
Some vernacular words form ''jhākri'' are ''phedangba'' in the [[Limbu language]],  ''[[Nakchhong]], Mangpa/Bijuwa'' in [[Rai Languages|Rai]], and ''boongthing'' in [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]].
Jhākris perform rituals during weddings, funerals, and harvests. They diagnose and cure diseases. They are also known for performing a form of voluntary spirit possession, whereby they allow the supposed spirit of the dead to possess them for a brief time thereby allowing family members to communicate for a brief period of time. The practice is called "Chinta". Their practices are influenced by [[Tibetan Buddhism]], [[Mun (religion)|Mun]], and [[Bön]] rites.<ref>{{harvnb |Gulia |2005 |p=168}}</ref>
Mostly, Jhakri use pray items like [[dhyāngro]], a traditional [[frame drum]] made up of animal leather banded in a hallow wood on both side, bells connected by rope. They use Mantra in Tibetan language or their own native language.
==See also==
*[[Banjhakri and Banjhakrini]], shaman deities of Nepal
*[[Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park]], a tourist attraction in Northeast India, with statues of ''jhākri''
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
* {{Cite book
|first=Kuldip Singh
|last=Gulia
|year=2005
|title=Human Ecology of Sikkim: A Case Study of Upper Rangit Basin
|publisher=Kalpaz Publications
|place=[[Delhi]]
|isbn=81-7835-325-3
}}
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[[Category:Asian shamanism]]
[[Category:Culture of Sikkim]]
[[Category:Traditional healthcare occupations]]
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