Impact the Effect of Shamanism in Modern Society in South Korea

Abstract

Shamanism is an indigenous Korean faith that incorporates various beliefs and practices influenced by native Korean Buddhism and Taoism. In Korean, shamanism is called mu (무) and practitioners are called mudang (무당). The function of the mudang is usually held by women who make contact (liaison) between gods and humans. Shamans perform gut ceremonies or offerings to perform healing, bring good luck and intercede for gods by means of possession. Gut ceremonies are also held to guide the spirits of the deceased to heaven. This research aims to 1) to reveal the role of shamanism in culture in the midst of modern South Korean society, and 2) to analyze the 1970s when shamanism was going through difficult times. This research used qualitative descriptive that described and analyzed the data in the form of information. The results of this research is presentation about the cultural asset of South Korea, namely shamanism, it is should be maintained because it is very influential on Korean tourism as an ancient ritual even though it is considered not in accordance with the modernization period.