Living Treasures
The Foundation has given the Living Treasure designation to a shaman of the Kofán people of the Columbian Amazon; a Nanay shaman and an Ulchi shaman, both in Siberia; a Camaiura shaman in Central Brazil; a Yaminahua shaman of the Upper Amazon, and others. You can read more about some of our Living Treasures below.
Living Treasure Sichingua
Sichingua (Siqinqua) is a Daur Shaman in Inner Mongolia, China. Sichingua came highly recommended by FSS Field Associate Kun Shi (China) and by Dr. Mihály Hoppál, President of the International Society for Shamanistic Research. Sichingua is a practicing shaman, widely...
Living Treasure Grandmother Nadia Tuvan
Grandmother Nadia Tuvan is the last shaman and wisdom keeper of the Ulchi people of southeastern Siberia.
Living Treasure Saintsetseg
In the northernmost region of the Sayan Mountains on the edge of the Siberian Frontier lives a small band of nomadic reindeer herders. Their traditional practices represent the oldest variant of shamanism found in Mongolia. In this band lives Saintsetseg, their shaman.
Living Treasure Kapi Waurá
Kapi is a shaman of the “yakapa” type, which allows her not only to recite healing charms, but also to see spirits and other beings while in a tobacco trance.
Pau Nyima Dhondup
It is with great sadness that we report that Pau Nyima Dhondup passed on in September 2013). Pau Nyima was a wise and dedicated healer, the last of the three Tibetan shamans designated as Living Treasures in the refugee camp in Nepal. The other two Tibetan shamans,...
Mandu Manuel da Silva
(In Memoriam, January 2021) Manuel da Silva, or "Mandu" (Chief), is of the Hohodene phratry of the Aiary River, Northwest Amazon, Brazil. The Hohodene are one among five or six large phratries of the Baniwa, an Arawak-speaking people. Mandu was born in 1930 at Uapui...
Mongush B. Kenin-Lopsan
In Memoriam, April 1925 - February 2022 The Foundation has had a long relationship with the esteemed Dr. Professor Mongush B. Kenin-Lopsan. He was present at the Foundation's first expedition to Tuva in 1993 and at three subsequent expeditions. In 1994, he was named...
Bo Bear Rinchinov
Shamans in Siberia video featuring Living Treasure Bo Bair Rinchinov, a Buriat shaman in Siberia, from "Russia Today" television.
Fernando Mendúa Queta
We are saddened to report that Taita Fernando Mendúa Queta, one of the most respected of the Kofán taitas of Colombia and the spiritual leader of the Kofán people recently died (circa 2007). He was said to be 107 years old. Though Taita Fernando only just came to the...