Korean Shamanism (Mugyo): Gods, Rituals & Myths (Korean History)

#korea #shamanism #koreanculture #koreanhistory #history #historyofkorea (episode 36)

Today, we’ll take a look at Korean shamanism, called musok 무속신앙 or mugyo 무교. Korean shamanism is often ignored when talking about Korean culture and the behaviour of its people. Theres’s usually more of a focus on Confucianism and Buddhism and more recently, Christianity. But, like trying to understand Western culture without the influence of Christianity, it would be erroneous to not discuss the influence of shamanism on Korean society.

While shamanism isn’t as popular nowadays as it once was, it still plays an important role in how decisions are taken either following a ritual (a gut 굿) or after a fortune reading (saju 사주). Female shamans, mudang (무당), are seen by some as the keepers of Korean culture which can be seen in their clothing and dances as well as heard in their songs (muga 무가) and stories.

First, we will look at the history of shamanism in Korea from Gojoseon 고조선, thru Goguryeo 고구려, Silla 신라, Goryeo 고려 and Joseon 조선 until modern times.

Second, we will try to answer the question: What is Korean shamanism? Simply put, Korean shamanism consists of the worship of gods 신, ancestors 조상 and spirits 정령 found in objects, places and living things. I will explore these elements more in depth.

Third, we will look at the gods and spirits that are worshipped.

Fourth, we'll introduce the two types of shamans (gangsinmu 강신무, seseupmu 세습무), their differences and in which regions of Korea they are found.

Fifth, we’ll take a closer look at the shamanic ritual itself, the gut 굿, its different stages and purposes.

Finally, I’ll recount some popular shamanic myths like the story of Princess Bari 바리 공주, the origin myth of Chobong bon-puri 초공 본 풀이, the tale of princess Gongsim 공심 and the myth of Dangun 당군.

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🎬 Recommended viewings:
The Wailing 국성 (2016). Dir.: Na Hong-jin. Starring: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura

📕Recommended readings:
The History and Structure of Korean Shamanism by Jeong-il Moon, Yonsei University Press, 2012, 557p
Gut Korean Shamanic Ritual Songs Calling Spirits by Kim Soo-nam, Youlhwadang Publisher, 2005, 287p.

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*Other figures and topics explored in this video: Hwanin 환인, Hwanung 환웅, Samseonggak 삼성각, Chilseong 칠성, Dokseong 독성, Palgwanhoe 팔관회, Yeondeunghoe 연등회, Gwanghaegun 광해군, Yeonsangun 연산군, Sejong-Sillok 세종실록, veritable records of the Joseon dynasty 조선왕조실록, Empress Myeongseong 명성황후, Mudang Naeryeok 무당내력, mishin tapa undong 미신 타파 운동, baksu 박수, Hanji 한지, The Buddhas of the Three Worlds Sambul 삼불, obang saek 오방색, Hogu Pyeolseong 호구별성, obang sinjang 오방신장, sinbyeong 신병, naerim-gut 내림굿, shimbang 심방, mengdu 맹두, bujeong 부정굿, cheongbae 청배무가, gochuk 고축, shintak 신탁, oshin 오신무, songshin 송신, Bok 복(福), saryeong-gut 사령제, jaesu-gut 재수굿, shin-gut 신굿

0:00 Korean Shamanism Intro
1:40 History of Shamanism
15:25 What is Korean Shamanism?
20:27 Gods & Spirits
24:54 Types of Shamans
29:48 The Ritual (Gut)
35:05 Purpose of Rituals
36:46 Myths

[JP-zzen]

What surprises me and I like about Korean shamans is that unlike other shamanic traditions, which use hallucinogenic plants or mushrooms to enter a trance, they use only music and dance to enter an altered state of consciousness. I have seen several Gut rituals on the internet and listened to shamanic music, and the truth is that it is quite hypnotic, it even makes me want to dance and jump.

[JP-zzen]

I like Korean shamanism, because shamans, even before the arrival of Christianity, were persecuted and marginalized by the Confucians, since they considered them as barbaric, superstitious, irrational, and poor, and along with butchers and kisaeng. they were the Confucian caste of "untouchables". I am very surprised to see that even when Christianity arrived in Korea and not long ago, many fundamentalist Protestant Christians attacked shrines and sacred places for shamans along with Buddhist temples, even so they have survived to the present day, something truly admirable. I greatly admire the cultures, countries or ethnic groups that still preserve their traditional beliefs.

[Starrynight-X-dk]

As a non- Korean fan of Asian history, i have encountered Shamanism for the very first time in Kdrama " the moon embracing the sun" . Questions stormed in my head .i needed to quench my curiosity especially after watching " rookie the historian " which traces the struggle between Shamanism and scholars in josean court ..
I have seen the scary part of Shamanism in lovers of the red sky ..
To conclude, your video was a good helping hand to understand the jist of it .
Thank you.

[ericastier]

This is a high quality lecture on Korean shamanism. I am stunned. I have studied Korean language over two decades ago and had close ties with many Korean people and studied popular Korean history but i never knew a thing about this. I always felt there was something missing in my understanding of Korean people some hidden facet. Koreans being fiercely excluding of non-koreans for one part and their distancing themselves and rejecting these ancient practices in favor of christianity are probably the two main reason i was never exposed to this. It's something they sure kept in the closet from me. Yes i vaguely knew there are villages wooden totems deities and that Koreans had a few superstitious beliefs but i assumed these were archaeological vestiges of long gone ancient times. But not at all. This is the big central piece of the puzzle i was missing to understand Koreans. Based on everything i know about Koreans, i feel this is central to their cultural identity. Even Koreans who do not practice shamanism anymore have a cultural identity that is very much forged around the principles of shamanism.
Another shocking revelation about this is that the women are at the center of these rituals and cult and that the husband is a mere assistant, pointing toward a woman control of the spiritual aspect of Korean life and a possibly matriarchal origin of Korean society.
I have witnessed how native Korean women form a powerful web that is the center of Korean social life where they call each other Euni or Nuna (sister) while the men only interact between them through professional or business interaction. Shamanism completely reveals the underpinnings of Korean women. This is it.

[tinjavier]

Some Korean dramas that show a glimpse of Korean shamanism are the The Guest and The Cursed. Both are a bit horror in theme but shows a bit on how the setup and some animal sacrifice are a bit shown (which by the way I also got a start when watching). When watching this episode of Loonytricky, now I understood some parts of that series. If from historical dramas, Moon embracing the Sun shows how shamanism have influences on monarchs. And for fantasy themed, Lovers of the Red Sky, shows the influence and conflicts between shamanism and astrologers.

[BoredBookAddict]

I have always been interested in learning about Shamanism around the world. Korean Shamanism is so interesting and your hard work is deeply appreciated.

[revolversmoke]

I've only seen Korean Shamanism being presented on in academic lectures on youtube. I'm glad you've made a presentation length video for general audience.

[jamiec]

My previous spouse is from Seoul, and she would tell me of her mother, who was the local shaman of their neighborhood. People would visit her and she would do rituals. She told me other things that seemed disturbing to her now as a Christian, but i always admired the memory of her mom.

[JP-zzen]

Even though most South Koreans are currently irreligious, I think that doesn't mean they are atheists, I think many of them still believe in shamanism in some way along with Confucian values ​​and rituals.

[drcovell]

Read *Ecstasy: Shaminism in Korea* by yours truly. Written in 1984. The historical roots of Shamanism go back for *thousands of years* into prehistory. I researched the background carefully and published a picture of the altar, with the sacrificial animals head and “Long bones” laid out, just like the Cave Bear skulls in caves in Europe.
For the definitive work on Siberian Shamanism, read the works by Eliade.

[jesunghwang]

Excellent video. A topic ill covered compared to their sister folk religions from Japan and China. Korean shamanism is quite interesting blend of local, and external religions and cultures!

A true expression of Korean heritage, emotions and history. Inseparable to the people whether they label themselves as Catholic, Buddhist or Atheist.

[jacobayers]

I’d love to see history videos of every one of Koreas major religions and faiths it would be very interesting

[slee]

Just because the modern world considers shamanism as superstition doesn't mean that it is so. There is much that modern science has no explanation for. Kudos to those who still believe in shamanism .

[erinnerungundgegenwart]

Very informative video as always. I recently found your channel and now my weekly schedule is overturned because I need to make space for all of your content.

[kyu]

I remember watching Moon embracing sun. It had Shamanism and was very interesting. I think it was my first time seeing Shamanism in a Kdrama. Thank you for this video. Your videos are very interesting.

[leeeyong]

Hello,
Thank you so much for uploading vids on ancient history of Korea.. I'm greatly thankful for your hardwork for bringing such amazing content..
Thank you

[seseh]

Korean Shamanism has very similar beliefs with Tengrism yet the mythical narratives and rituals have become distinct and indigenous. Yet details of some features such as Dokseong 4:00 as one of early shamans being depicted of having cranial deformation which is common among Tengri culture as trace of the origin is also notable.

[meow]

Please upload more often.
The videos are not enough .
Simply marvelous!

[tariz]

It’s interesting to see how Korean shamanism developed over time. I’ve always thought about this idea that Japanese Shinto and Korean shamanism are somehow connected and the true original Shinto (Ko-Shinto) was brought to Japan from Korea during the Yayoi period. Maybe it’s just my wild imagination lol… Anyway your videos are really good! Keep up the good work.

[kingfisher]

New subscriber here. This is the sixth of your videos I've been watching today, starting with the Goryeo series. They're all very well done. Apart from being interested in history and the way the human mind works in general, this one especially helps to get a better grasp of the cultural background when watching Korean films/dramas (even the "modern" ones not dealing with such topics). I really like delving into a culture so very different from my own (I'm European), so your work is very much appreciated!