Korean Shamanism

A shaman acts as a medium for the human word and the spirit world. Shamanism can be seen in certain Native American tribes and Asian countries. In South Korea, shamans are called mudang (무당). Mudangs are usually women who have showed signs of the call of the Sky Spirit. The “call” is an illness that can only be relieved by accepting the call to be a shaman. Shamans were seen as magicians, mystics, and magic men. They entered trance like states and traversed the spirit world searching for ways to help people. Mudangs conduct kut or gut (궅) which are various rituals used to cleanse, heal, or bless people or villages. 


Shamans have always been considered a low class citizen in South Korea yet accurate and skillful shamans attract many clients. Governmental leaders such as Syngman Rhee and Park, Chung Hee tried persecuting shamans after Korea’s liberation from Japan. However, attempts failed. Now the South Korean government accepts the songs, dances, and rituals of the shamans as an important part of Korean culture. Shamanism has been interwoven in Buddhist, Confucianism, Daoism, and Christian beliefs in Korea.

Modern Korean Shaman

I’ve also liked Asian culture. It is my heritage and my culture. I was raised in America but I have always been drawn to the Asian cultures. I like how respectful they are to each other. Korean shamanism has interested me since I watched the Korean drama, The Moon that Embraces the Sun (해를 품은 달). This historical fiction drama showed shamanism being used for political gain. The supernatural aspect of shamanism appealed to me since I love supernatural creatures, beliefs, and stories. Who knows? Maybe mudang can traverse to the spirit world.

Chief Shaman Jang from Moon that Embraces the Sun

Sources:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/shaman 

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Korean_shamanism