From a Shaman's Notebook - Primitive and Archaic Poetry: Arranged by Jerome Rothenberg

“From a Shaman’s Notebook – Primitive and Archaic Poetry” is a collection of 23 poems from a variety of sources from Native American, African, Australian, and Pacific Islander societies. The poetry falls into two general themes: “Spells and Charms” and “Rites and Visions.” The spells and charms vary from poisoned arrows to plant tinctures, and the rites and visions describe rituals for marriages, circumcision, and death. Read by Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson MacLow, and Rochelle Owens, these works provide insights into the traditions and beliefs that define their cultures.

Liner notes include poem texts.

Track Listing

101	Spells and Charms: How Isaac Tens Became a Shaman (Gitksan Indian)	n/a	03:27
102	Spells and Charms: A Shaman Climbs Up the Sky (Altaic)	n/a	02:51
103	Spells and Charms: A Poison Arrow (Nigeria)	n/a	01:06
104	Spells and Charms: For a Sudden Stitch (Anglo-Saxon)	n/a	01:22
105	Spells and Charms: The Killer (Cherokee Indian)	n/a	00:48
106	Spells and Charms: Cannibal Song / Against Wens / Against Syphillis (Cobu, New Guinea)	n/a	02:44
107	Spells and Charms: Nine Herbs Charm (Anglo-Saxon)	n/a	03:37
108	Spells and Charms: Rain Song (Keresan Indian)	n/a	00:46
109	Spells and Charms: Songs in the Garden of the House God (Navajo)	n/a	01:20
110	Spells and Charms: Flower Feast Song (Aztec)	n/a	03:05
201	Rites and Visions: Circumcision Rite (Arnehm Land, Australia)	n/a	00:56
202	Rites and Visions: Songs of the Masked Dancers (Apache)	n/a	02:04
203	Rites and Visions: Marriage Rites (Arnehm Land, Australia)	n/a	01:07
204	Rites and Visions: Night Chant (Navajo)	n/a	04:03
205	Rites and Visions: The Forest (Aztec)	n/a	03:58
206	Rites and Visions: The Annunciation (Tibet)	n/a	00:49
207	Rites and Visions: Smohalla Speaks (American Indian)	n/a	01:02
208	Rites and Visions: Songs of the Ghost Dance Religion (American Indian)	n/a	01:12
209	Rites and Visions: The Light Becomes Dark (Gabon Pygmy)	n/a	00:42
210	Rites and Visions: Those Were People Who Broke the String	n/a	00:34
211	Rites and Visions: The Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph (American Indian)	n/a	00:59
212	Rites and Visions: Dead Hunter Speaks through the Voice of a Shaman (Copper Eskimo)	n/a	01:30
213	Rites and Visions: The Gates of Dan Are Shut (Gabon Pygmy)	n/a	00:59