Black Elk, Oglala Sioux Holy Medicine Man, Black Hills of South Dakota, circa 1939.
The shaman used appropriate words, objects and rituals to protect men from evil spirits - his role is that of opponent to the bad spirits and of guardian to the ordinary man. The role of the Shaman differs from tribe to tribe as there are some regional and tribal variations to their beliefs in Shamanism. There are, however, several common roles that are shared by every Shaman. A Shaman was a healer, communicator, educator, prophet and mystic: