Shaman class name

I noticed that the shaman class has very little to do with real life shamanism. Because of the history of the word and how it is often used, I am concerned that its usage to refer to a video game class, especially one that doesn't accurately mirror its real-life counterpart, might be considered misappropriation by some.
I think it would also make sense to rename the various 'totem' game elements (the spell, mob totems, and anything else I might be missing), since totems in real life do come from specific cultures and seem to me to be more akin to family crests than anything.
I am a white guy, so it's entirely possible that I'm just getting worked up over nothing, but I do think it would be worth looking into whether these game elements should be renamed. I did also get this information from Wikipedia (the Shamanism, Totem, and Totem Pole pages).
As for new names, I propose totems be renamed to beacons or focuses, and I honestly don't have anything for shamans.

 

From lore perspective, it should be called "Druid" I believe, since it draws from the nature, not sacrifices.

Regardless of irl (or lore) accuracy I really doubt it will be changed, since the community has been using it for quite a long time.

 

While the word Shaman is associated with Native American medecine men, the word Shaman actually comes from šaman from the Manchu-Tungus language spoken by those in Eastern Siberia, meaning 'one who knows', and refers to hunters in Siberia and Manchuria.
Are shamans anything like Tungus hunters? No lol.
As I see it, language develops and changes. You could argue that Native American medecine men are not 'Shamans' because they are neither Tungus nor live in Siberia, yet much in the same way has something like Wizard (initially meaning philosopher) evolved to - at one point in time to refer to gay people (god I wish people called me a wizard) - refer to just some guy with a beard who slings magic spells and not a sage who studies language and scripts.

Shaman in modern language just means someone who can do divination and healing.

 

i just wanna say



NOBODY CARES

 

necropost

 

looks like i did an oopsie