Within shamanic practice, drumming and chanting function as central sound technologies that open the way to non-ordinary reality. Repetitive, steady drumming—often within a particular rhythmic range—acts as a kind of “sonic driving,” synchronizing consciousness into trance states that allow the shaman to journey. The drum is frequently regarded as a vehicle or “spirit horse” that carries the soul into other realms, whether for healing, guidance, or divination. Chanting, through repeated vocal sounds, songs, or sacred words, similarly shifts awareness away from ordinary thinking and supports entry into visionary states. Together, these practices create a sacred soundscape that bridges the everyday world and the spirit world.

Beyond inducing altered states, drumming and chanting help to structure and protect the ritual space itself. The drumbeat can mark the boundaries and phases of a ceremony, signaling when the work begins, deepens, and concludes. Chanting and specific songs are used to call spirits, deities, ancestors, or power animals, effectively inviting particular presences into the ritual field. In many traditions, these vocalizations are understood as power songs received from spirits, carrying inherent healing or prophetic qualities. In this way, sound becomes both a summons and a safeguard, shaping a container in which spiritual contact can unfold.

These sonic practices also serve as instruments of healing and carriers of knowledge. Rhythmic vibration and focused vocalization are directed toward those in need, with the intention of transmitting spiritual power, restoring balance, or supporting processes such as soul retrieval and extraction healing. The content of chants often preserves mythologies, lineages, and ritual instructions, allowing traditional wisdom to be remembered and enacted in the very moment of healing. By maintaining focus and intention through sound, the shaman is able to navigate complex inner landscapes while remaining anchored in the purpose of the work. Across diverse cultures, this convergence of rhythm, voice, and intention reveals drumming and chanting as indispensable means of spirit-based healing and divinatory insight.