If nothing else, there are shamans from Sibera to Mexico, in Africa and Australia. One can argue that shamanism, in the broad sense, is one of the most common forms of religion. Why not?

Besides, if this word isn’t selected, I will summon the spirits of wolves…

I always thought it was a relatively new word, borrowed from an obscure language by some anthropologist. But it’s an old word, with an interesting etymology. And I feel like summoning wolves when people use ‘shamen’ as the plural.  

Shamen most likely wear talismen and hunt mongeese.

Brazilian dude

This idea, that an invisible magic force pervades the world, has cropped-up in more than a few societies, but I believe the word ‘shaman’ is from Evenki, a Siberian language. Now that I think of it, Obi-Wan and Yoda are shamans. (Notice the proper plural. I’m a-scared of wolves. (or is it ‘wolfs.))

I had an uncle who was a shaman but he  preferred ‘witch-doctor.’ He said it had more soul.

It can sometimes be wolfs.

Brazilian dude

<<<This idea, that an invisible magic force pervades the world, has cropped-up in more than a few societies, but I believe the word ‘shaman’ is from Evenki, a Siberian language.<<<

Apparantly, it seems to be quite PIE in origin:
Russian, from Tungus, from Tocharian B, from Prakrit, from Sanskrit. [Since i can’t handle the diacritics, see: ]http://www.bartleby.com/61/46/S0314600.html].

BTW, i LOVE the pseudo-plural ‘shamen’ . Just shows very well how thin the border is between bad grammar, re-interpreting words and creativity )

All the best,

Frank

How about shapersons.  ;)
gailr