Spiritual healing is a little investigated field not only in Pakistan but also in the west. A study was carried-out in a traditional village (Chaprote) of Northern Areas of Pakistan in 1989 by an anthropologist, which describes indigenous healing techniques of a native spiritual practitioner known as Danyal. Danyal or Danyalism in Gilgiti culture can be seen as more or less what is popularly known in anthropology as shaman and shamanism. A Danyal can be linked to a shaman of Siberia or elsewhere in the world on the basis of his acquired status and the role he plays in that particular society. However, he goes through a unique and indigenous recruiting process through which he learns his professional skills. Danyalism is thought to be an old religion in Gilgit, therefore the folks of the area consult Danyal in important crises of their life, even though they have access to some of the modern health facilities.
