Resurgence of South Korea Shamanism, Essay Example

Description of the reasons for resurgence of South Korea shamanism with reference to ‘Laurel Kendall’s Shamans, Nostalgias, and the IMF: South Korean Popular Religion in Motion’ indicates that, in any attempt to justify this resurgence one must first acknowledge the religious ritual tradition impacts of  South Korean shamanism on their culture. Importantly, Kendall  (2010) empathized that the calling to shamanism in the South Korean culture is a very serious undertaken predominated by women who travel spiritually to attain the level of mansin, Essentially, the process goes beyond liturgical dances, but a deep spiritual contact with ancestors who have made their transition into the world of the dead (Kendall, 2010, p. 20).        .

Precisely, this tradition allows the mansin to act as a guide for the people translating what spirits desire for their highest good. As such, when the question is asked whether, perhaps there is a mutually encouraging relationship between modernizations or modern life and ecstatic shamanism, Kendall (2010) again clarified this inquisition by identifying that shamans speak from out there, bringing new material and revealing visions emerging from spirit voices. This interaction with the spirit world over centuries South Korean shamanism to extend from tradition into modernity which makes it less an archaic survival. Consequently, shaman over time brings radical adjustments to their practice which aligns interventions with modernity (Kendall, 2010, p.21).

In answering the question related to what is useful/appealing about shamanism in contemporary South Korean life the utility and importance of improvisation in ecstatic shamanism must be examined also. Kendal (2010) advances in explaining the usefulness of the religious practice is that it guides its devotees into leading successful lives since they rely on these mansins for messages from gods for their daily existence. Significantly, mastery is obtained when shamans produce the divine ability of pacifying; enticing, petitioning and persuading the gods when disaster occurs or there is a need to be fulfilled (Kendall, 2010, p. 20).

In reality South Korean shamanism serves a dual purpose it would appear in the society. First it maintains a cultural status quo embodied in the practice itself. It is an honor to be chosen a shaman by the gods. People in the community value the virtues they produce and are dependent on them for spiritual nourishment. With the many vicissitudes of life people have a psychological need to be validated by a source greater than themselves. From an individual perspective South Korean shamans seem to be fulfilling this need successfully for the religious practice to continue over the centuries at the extent it still exists today (Kendall, 2010, p. 20).

Shaman’s music is another form of expression, which serves as a release and contacts with the inner self. It is regarded as a significant part of their life. Music is divided in three styles. These include Kyonggi also known as Western style; second is Eastern style and the third style is Southern. Subsequently, each style is further divided into a number of  sub-regional styles.   Importantly, music is very ritualistic. There are dances for prosperity, celebrating ancestors who have passed and just jollification. Styles and dance music vary from region to region and some styles even though may be practiced in all regions and overlap some predominate in certain regions than others (Bohyung, 2010, p.77).

In speculating about role of music in this modern resurgence of South Korean shamanism practice Bohyung (2010) confirmed that Koreans establish their authentic spiritual power through music. This allows them to gain authority over many situations occurring in their life. This includes health, relationships, fortune, favor that is not limited to modernity or tradition (Bohyung, 2010, p. 77)

Works cited

Bohyung, Lee. Korean religious Music shamanic. Pdf. 2010. Print

Kendall Laurel. Shamans, Nostalgias, and the IMF: South Korean Popular Religion in Motion Univ of Hawaii Press. 2010. Print