Mugyo

[[File:Mudang performing a ritual placating the angry spirits of the dead.png|thumb|right|165px|A ''mudang'' performing a ritual placating the angry spirits of the dead]]
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'''Muism (Mugyo, "religion of Mu")''' also known as [[Korea]]n [[shamanism]] or Shinism (Shingyo or 신교, "religion of the gods", with shin being the Korean character derivative of the Chinese ''shen'', is an ancient religion originating from Korea that believes in a spirit world full of [[gods]], [[spirits]], and [[ghosts]]. Much of Mugyo is often associated with [[Confucian]] beliefs; after the [[Korean War]], Muism as a religion has faded, but it is so engraved into Korean culture that many of its traditions are kept. There are also many [[myth]]s and legends about how the 'Creation' came to be, but they are now mostly old folktales that are taught to [[children]]. It is unsurprising that, from an outsider’s perspective, most of Muism is more [[superstition]] rather than religion. It is also often confused with [[Shintoism]].

A Muist shaman is known as a ''mudang'' (무당, 巫堂). The ''mudang'', who is usually a woman, acts as an intercessor between a deity and humans. The first 8 ''mudang'' were born to a mother [[goddess]] associated with a mountain, the myth varies by region and in the most popular version she is a princess revered for her [[healing]] powers.<ref>Jung Young Lee. ''Korean Shamanistic Rituals''. Mouton De Gruyter, 1981. p.9</ref> Some [[archaeologist]]s believe that she is based of an older paleolithic mother goddess depicted in neolithic {{wpl|Venus Figurines}} like those seen elsewhere around the world.

There are three elements in the Muist sacrificial ritual, or ''gut'': the spirits from whom a favor is sought, the client who seeks to obtain the favor, and the ''mudang'' who makes the connection possible. The ''gut'' is usually held to improve fortunes, cure illnesses by [[exorcism]]s, or propitiate local village gods, or to celebrate any number of special ceremonies, such as the [[birth]] of a child or the guidance of the spirit of a deceased person.

==Types of ''mudang''==
There are two main categories of ''mudang''. 
:''Kangshinmu'' (강신무; 降神巫) and ''Seseummu''(세습무; 世襲巫)

''Kangshinmu '' must undergo an initiation ceremony, in which she/he enters a state of ''shinbyeong'', which is supposed by believers to be [[Spirit possession|possession]] by a spirit during the ceremony, often accompanied by pain or mental illness. To be healed, a ''naerim-gut'' is held, which serves as the main initiation for the new shaman. There are two types of Kangshinmu.

*The ''mudang'' (or ''paksu'' if male) is a shaman that can be possessed by a ''momju'' (a form of god).
*The ''myǒngdu'' can channel the spirits of dead persons instead of the spirit of a god.

The ''sessǔmu'' are shamans that descend from a bloodline of shamans; again, they are split into two categories:
*The ''shimbang'', who like the ''mudang'' have hereditary rights to summon gods, but unlike the ''mudang'' does not become one with the spirit.
*The ''tang'ol'', who have rights to perform ceremonies or the gut to serve or entertain a god.

==References==
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[[Category:Eastern religions]]
[[Category:Korea]]

Categories: Eastern religions, Korea