Korean Shamanism
Subtitle: the Cultural Paradox
By: Chongho Kim
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Taylor and Francis; Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2017
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 270
ISBN-13: 9781315198156; 9781351772150; 9781351772136
Subjects: Shamanism; Civilization; Shamanistic influences; World Religions; Anthropology; Soc Sci; Asian Culture & Society; Spiritualism
Description: "Title first published in 2003. Shamanism has a contradictory position within the Korean cultural system, leading to the periodical suppression of shamanism yet also, paradoxically, ensuring its survival throughout Korean history. This book examines the place of shamans within contemporary society as a cultural practice in which people make use of shamanic ritual and disputing the prevalent view that shamanism is 'popular culture', a 'women's religion' or 'performing arts'. Directly confronting the prejudice against shamans and their paradoxical situation in a modern society such as Korea, this book reveals the cultural discrepancy between two worlds in Korean culture, the ordinary world and the shamanic world, showing that these two worlds cannot be reconciled. This unique study of shamanism offers a significant contribution to growing studies in indigenous anthropology and indigenous religions, and provides a captivating read for a wide range of readers through retelling the stories-never-to-be-told involving shamanic ritual."--Provided by publisher.