Korean shamanism
From the early Korean history dates back to the Korean shamanism. Many of its rituals and traditions live on today. They were influenced by Buddhism, but they have not disappeared. Shamanism is now no longer practiced as a religion, but the customs are obtained still alive.
In the old agrarian society, shamanism was firmly rooted, as he accompanied the population due to its close connection to nature and its phenomena by the total annual flow. Even in the modern industrial society, some customs have survived. So no building of its determination is passed, without the ancient ritual of exorcism, which includes a table of offerings. Essential here are a pig's head and several varieties of fruit, layered pyramids. Also, art and music were influenced by shamanism. Before the villages of ancient Korea were wooden figures, which corresponded to the totem poles of the Indians and should ward off evil spirits. Even the Jade Pendant of gold crowns from the Silla period go back to ancient shamanistic performances. In music, the drum plays an important role; by their sound man establishes contact with the spirits. The rites themselves have quite a few changes made , especially at the time of Silla and Goryeo kingdom. Even during the Joseon Dynasty, in which everything was influenced by Confucianism, the shamanic traditions were not abolished. This shows how deeply these customs were anchored in everyday life.
The Korean shamanism is distinguished in that it attempts to solve human problems by man is merged with the spirits. This meeting is led by a shaman. The different types of material ( 굿 ) reflect this well and are still widespread. Shaman " mudang " ( 무당 ,巫 堂) are predominantly women. You have a special very colorful costume with a special hood -like head covering. The " mudang " are also healers and psychologists; especially in psychosomatic and mental disorders numerous treatment successes are demonstrated.
Shamanic knowledge is passed on to blood relatives and thereby acquired that a spirit takes possession of a new medium.
Good
A good is a shamanic practice in which a shaman the spirits presents a victim. Through dance and music is trying to persuade the spirits to intervene in the fate of the people and to do good. The shaman wears very colorful clothes and often speaks in a trance. During a good the shaman clothes often changes several times.
Three elements make up a good: the belief in the spirits; the faithful who pray to the spirits; and the shaman who mediates between the two. The shape of the good varies between regions. The sequence within the ritual depends primarily on the purpose of the ceremony. The individual character of the shaman is a good personal style.
The main categories of Good are Naerimgut ( 내림굿 ) Dodanggut ( 도당굿 ) and Ssitgimgut ( 씻김굿 ).
Naerimgut
This good is used to initiate a shaman. As part of the ritual, a person becomes a shaman by being possessed by a spirit. The candidate is suffering from an unknown disease, which is called Sinbyeong. This disease has the symptoms of loss of appetite, insomnia, visual and auditory hallucinations. The Naerimgut heals this disease and initiated simultaneously a shaman.
Dodanggut
This general custom is celebrated in the central provinces of South Korea. The goal is to help the village or hamlet to wealth and well-being. The ritual is usually held annually or every few years, either to the New Year according to the lunar calendar or in autumn. An important part of the material is handled with magic.
Ssitgimgut
This ritual is used to purify the spirit of a deceased person. Since ancient times in Korea is the belief that the spirit of a deceased person can not enter into the world of the dead, as long as the mind is impure. The Ssitgimgut washes away that impurity and will be held in the southwest of South Korea in particular.