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The vast range of communities and societies in Asia, and their customs and traditions presents a complex yet fascinating picture. The customary activities connected with the stations of life -birth, adulthood and marriage as well as death --manifest practices that have come down from time immemorial, and generally remain unchanged. This may also be seen in the customs connected with royal ceremonies as well as in situations involving traditional healing techniques. Indeed various forms of traditional medicine as well as shamanism continue to be practiced in various Asian communities to effect cures for diseases. These are intended to bring about soul recovery, exorcism, or purification of the immediate environment. Although the arrival of the major religions has resulted in some instances of such practices being wiped out, in some instances syncretism has tended to modify these ancient practices in interesting ways.