Shamanism may be the world's oldest religion. It still exists in parts of central Asia, including Mongolia, where it was suppressed by the Communists for most of the twentieth century. Now it is rebounding, and changing. This piece, a sort of essay, uses an unusual narrative structure to tell the story of two shamans: Tsend, living a relatively traditional life among the reindeer herders high in the mountains along the Siberian border, and Byambadorj, who runs a 'clinic' in a tent in the capital city. It also tells how a bunch of westerners set off on a foolish errand to save a couple of poisoned kids.

Shamanism may be the world's oldest religion. It still exists in parts of central Asia, including Mongolia, where it was suppressed by the Communists for most of the twentieth century. Now it is rebounding, and changing. This piece, a sort of essay, uses an unusual narrative structure to tell the story of two shamans: Tsend, living a relatively traditional life among the reindeer herders high in the mountains along the Siberian border, and Byambadorj, who runs a 'clinic' in a tent in the capital city. It also tells how a bunch of westerners set off on a foolish errand to save a couple of poisoned kids.