Korean shamanism, subjected to control and persecution by state authorities for centuries, is experiencing a startling revival. It was also a moment when anthropology and shamanism gained public recognition in Korean society. In contemporary Korea, where the performing arts industry is large and well established, many people make their living in various areas such as dance, drama, movies,...
This chapter argues that the field in which Korean shamans work is ‘the field of misfortune’, which exists separately from the field of health care where medical practitioners work. It also argues that shamanism is not a sort of traditional medicine, and the utilization of shamanic healing is not a phenomenon of medical pluralism. The chapter deals with the definition of shamanism in Korean...
The literature on Korean shamanism has consistently reported the negative connotations associated with shamans and their practice. Shamanic practice was referred to as a ‘matter of malignance in traditional Korea. It is hard to deny the fact that Korean Christianity has also suffered from shamanism. Seeing everything in terms of fiscal matters, shamanism would take no responsibility for society...