The Definition and Role of a Mudang in Korean Society
A Mudang is a religious figure in Korea's traditional shamanism, acting as a mediator between the gods and humans.
Typically, female shamans are called Mudang, and male shamans are known as Baksu.
Mudangs conduct rituals called 'gut' to gather followers for ceremonies, offer fortune-telling, and provide solutions to problems.
Mudangs have a long history within Korean shamanism, which historically combined political and religious power.
Mudangs are integral to Korean folk beliefs, closely linked to Koreans' lives, especially before the modernization of Korean society around the 1970s. Shamanism, a worldwide religious phenomenon, has been a critical element in various cultural strata, from hunter-gatherers to agricultural societies, since prehistoric times. In Korea, since the Goryeo Dynasty, shamanism, referred to as Mugyo (巫敎) or Korean shamanism, is an indigenous religion, where a mediator, called a Mudang, serves to connect spirits and humans, bearing totemistic characteristics.
Thus, its origins can be traced back to primitive shamanistic rituals, combining primitive beliefs with other religious elements.
Today, Mudangs still play a significant role as religious figures for some people. However, they are sometimes controversial for unscientific claims or unethical behaviors.
The Religious Ritual 'Gut' in Shamanism
Korean Mudangs are professionals qualified to perform the religious ritual of 'gut' in shamanism.
To become a Mudang, one must undergo a professional learning process, and in some regions, experiencing a spiritual possession (신병, "God Illness") is necessary to start learning the shamanistic craft.
Mudangs are categorized into hereditary Mudangs (세습무), who inherit their role through family lineage, and spirit-possessed Mudangs (강신무), who become Mudangs after experiencing spiritual possession.
Spirit-possessed Mudangs undergo a process where they meet another Mudang and learn the craft after experiencing spirit possession. Most Mudangs outside the hereditary regions are considered spirit-possessed Mudangs, generally more numerous than hereditary Mudangs.
Why Are There More Hereditary Mudangs Than Spirit-Possessed Mudangs?
1. Regional Factors:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs are prevalent in central and northern regions, while hereditary Mudangs are mainly found in southern regions.
2. Historical Factors:
During the Joseon Dynasty, Confucianism suppressed shamanism. Spirit-possessed Mudangs had to hide or parallel other professions, leading to the proliferation of hereditary Mudangs.
3. Religious Factors:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs focus on individual fortune-telling and rituals, whereas hereditary Mudangs perform rituals for the well-being and prosperity of groups. This distinction contributed to the greater prevalence of hereditary Mudangs.
Differences Between Spirit-Possessed(Gangsinmu) and Hereditary Mudangs(Seseupmu):
The difference between 'Gangshinmu' and 'Seseupmu' is as follows.
1. Divine Calling:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs receive a divine calling, while hereditary Mudangs inherit their role from parents or grandparents.
2. Types of Rituals:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs focus on individual fortune-telling and rituals, while hereditary Mudangs perform rituals for group prosperity.
3. Geographical Distribution:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs are common in central and northern regions, whereas hereditary Mudangs are found mainly in southern regions.
4. Religious Characteristics:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs have a stronger shamanistic nature, while hereditary Mudangs often blend with Buddhism or Confucianism.
5. Occupational Traits:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs undergo training after their divine calling, whereas hereditary Mudangs inherit and practice shamanism through generations.
6. Education and Training:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs are trained after their divine calling, while hereditary Mudangs naturally acquire their skills through family lineage.
7. Social Status:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs often hold higher social status, whereas hereditary Mudangs tend to have a relatively lower status.
8. Economic Income:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs can earn higher incomes through rituals and fortune-telling, while hereditary Mudangs generally have lower incomes.
9. Historical Background:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs maintained their practice despite suppression during the Japanese occupation, while hereditary Mudangs mostly vanished due to suppression since the Joseon Dynasty.
10. Cultural Characteristics:
Spirit-possessed Mudangs preserve and develop traditional cultural heritage, while hereditary Mudangs often mix with other religions and cultures, struggling to gain popularity in modern society.
Summary of Differences,
In summary, the differences between the two types of Mudangs stem from their environment and historical background, with distinct geographical distribution, religious nature, occupational traits, education methods, social status, economic income, historical background, and cultural characteristics.
What is "Sinnaerim" for Spirit-Possessed Mudangs?
Shinnaerim typically refers to a divine revelation or command bestowed upon a mudang. It signifies the mudang's ability to communicate with deities and convey divine messages to people.
In the context of Gangsinmu, shinnaerim is a crucial process for becoming a Gangsinmu (降神巫), serving as an intermediary between deities (神) and humans. This process includes both benevolent spirits, like natural or governing spirits who enlighten humans about nature's laws and provide benefits, and malevolent spirits, like deceptive or mischievous spirits that harm human vitality and cause social disturbances. Hence, discernment is crucial in shinnaerim.
True shinnaerim should ideally be received from a governing spirit that understands natural laws and possesses a token of acceptance from the natural deity. Otherwise, it's not considered a genuine shinnaerim but rather an invasion or possession by malevolent spirits like deceptive or mischievous ones.
Caution is advised as malevolent spirits can harm not only the individual but also those around them. People influenced by such spirits tend to be arrogant, dismissive of others, and non-acknowledging of deities other than the one they serve.
Mudang's Position and Evaluation in Modern Korean Society
In Korean society, mudangs are respected as traditional religious figures but also face skepticism as practitioners of superstition.
Mudangs play an intermediary role in Korean shamanism between deities and humans, organizing rituals and divination to predict the future or offer solutions.
Historically, mudangs held significant political and religious power. Today, they continue to be important religious figures, although their practices are sometimes viewed as superstition. People often consult mudangs for personal advice or future predictions.
The portrayal of mudangs in TV shows and movies has garnered public attention, though there's criticism over their depiction as overly mystical or exaggerated.
Mudangs are also noted to belong to socially disadvantaged groups, facing economic instability and social discrimination. Discussions around addressing these issues are emerging.
Overall, the position and evaluation of mudangs in contemporary Korean society is a complex topic, requiring diverse perspectives and discussions.
