39: The Yeti-Ban Jhakri Question

Monster Lore Tour

In this episode, MOZ dives deep into Himalayan folklore to make the case—or, more accurately, restate the case made by Larry G. Peters—which involves the important role the Ban Jhakri, an ancient and regional forest shaman, plays in the Yeti legend. MOZ explains this oft neglected aspect of Yeti theory and Nepalese folklore. Find out why the Yeti is not what you think it is, and how this mystery only deepens when one gazes into the frozen ice caves of Tibet and beyond.

Eternal thank-yous to Mr. Time Leavy @ https://www.timleavy.com/ for providing us the greatest theme song in all the paranormal realms.

REFERENCES:

Banjhākri and Banjhākrini:

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/banjhakri-and-banjhakrini-of-sikkim-these-shamans-kidnap-children-but-not-for-nefarious-reasons-604366.html

Banjhakri and Banjhakrini - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjhakri_and_Banjhakrini

The Forest Shaman:

Pratt, C. (2007). Encyclopedia of shamanism (Vol 1). Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., p223 (of the Internet Archive version)

Nepali Shamanism:

Busick, C.J. (1978). Anthropological approaches to the study of Nepali shamanism. Master's Theses. 2115. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/2115Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Nepali ShamanismBy Christopher J. Busick, Published on 08/01/78scholarworks.wmich.edu

Banjhakri’s Ice Cave:

Pratt, C. (2007). Encyclopedia of shamanism (Vol 1). Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., p54

(Peters, L. G. Personal communication, 1998)

Symbolism of the Scythe:

Beer, R. (2003). Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist symbols. Shambhala, Boston, p129

Banjhakri and Banjhakrini:

Peters, L.G. (Jan 1997). The "calling," the yeti, and the Ban Jhakri ("forest shaman") in Nepalese shamanism. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Palo Alto, Calif, 29(1)

Chu Mung - Spirit of the Glacier:

Peters, L.G. (Jan 1997). The "calling," the yeti, and the Ban Jhakri ("forest shaman") in Nepalese shamanism. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Palo Alto, Calif, 29(1)

Banjhakri & Banjhakrini:

Peters, L.G. (Jan 1997). The "calling," the yeti, and the Ban Jhakri ("forest shaman") in Nepalese shamanism. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Palo Alto, Calif, 29(1)

Loeib Olmai:

Abercromby, J. (1898). The pre- and proto-historic Finns: Both eastern and western with the magic songs of the west Finns. Vol 1. Published by David Nutt, London, p161-162

Daitengu:

Tengu: The Japanese Demon That's Basically a Mini-God (tofugu.com)

https://www.tofugu.com/japan/tengu/

Daitengu:

Bane, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of beasts and monsters in myth, legend and folklore. Mcfarland & Co, p291-92

Brian Bates Interview:

Allen-Coombe, J. (Spring1992). Weaving the Way of Wyrd: An Interview with Brian Bates. Shaman’s Drum 27: 20-29

Choktaw Folklore:

The Cherokee Legend of the Little People (edmondlifeandleisure.com)

https://edmondlifeandleisure.com/the-cherokee-legend-of-the-little-people-p10901-76.htm

Elf, Dwarf & Mermaid Lore of the Phillipines:

Ramos, M.D. (1990). The creatures of Philippine lower mythology. Phoenix Publishing House, TX

Menehune:

Hoffman, M. (2002). Mushroom myth and imagery in Hawai’i: evidence for an indigenous cult. Entheogen Review, Vol 11 (2)

Crocodile Shapeshifters:

Merz S. (2018). Crocodiles are the souls of the community: an analysis of human-animal relations in northwestern Benin. University of Exeter

https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/32861/MerzS.pdf?sequence=1

Banjhakri Thought Experiment:

Armand, F. (June2016). Shamans of Nepal, bistable intra mundi smugglers, about liminality of an “in‑between” in the metensomatosis. Université Catholique de Lyon

Sunā Jhākri & the Boksī Witch:

Armand, F. (June2016). Shamans of Nepal, bistable intra mundi smugglers, about liminality of an “in‑between” in the metensomatosis. Université Catholique de Lyon