Marie van der Heijden
Shamanism is not something you choose. It chooses you. Most shamans first become seriously ill or have a near-death experience - better known as the 'shamanic illness' - and heal as soon as they take on the role of shaman. Gandat, on the other hand, heard the sound of a drum at the age of forty, which kept repeating itself until he started looking for an explanation. The shaman on the west side of Mount Renchinlukmbe finally told him that it was his destiny to apprentice with him. Refusing was not an option otherwise he and his family would be cursed.