Shamanist Rituals
Shamanism's roots in Korea predate even the arrival of Buddhism. Throughout the last two millenia, ancient folk-religion, animism and spiritism have shaped - and been shaped by - Korean expressions of Confucianism and Buddhism. Shamanism continues to exist in Korea in various forms. Most of the following pictures were taken at a gut at the Andong Mask Dance Festival in 2007. Is it a traditional cultural performance? Is it spirit possession? Different observers would have had a different perceptions about what was going on. In any case, the still photos don't capture the ecstatic energy of the shaman (or, more properly, mudang ??).
The final two pictures come from the east coast of Korea near the tomb of king Munmu. There were two women performing rituals on the lonely beach when I was there. There was also one person performing a loud, energetic gut in a hut just up from the beach. I caught glimpses of the twirling shaman as I passed by the hut, but I could hear the ritual from 100 meters away. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.
One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.
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