An article in the Hankyoreh reports that an island off the southwest coast of Korea is seeking to gain official recognition from UNESCO for an ancient shamanic ritual practiced there as part of the world’s cultural heritage.
Jindo, in South Jeolla Province, is home to the ssitgimgut ritual, and advocates there are pushing the United Nations Organization to designate the practice a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. They say that as the number of Korea’s traditional shamans declines, the practice is in danger of disappearing alltogether.
The ritual involves the calling forth of the dead to resolve their worldly concerns and pray for their safe passage to the next world. It was designated a national cultural asset in 1980, but the rapid transformation of Korean society has lead to a decline in the number of shamans able to carry out the rite. Experts say the UNESCO designation will help preserve the tradition.
To support their bid, authorities in South Jeolla will host an international conference on the importance of shamanic traditions around the world. The conference will feature experts from South Korea, China, India, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia and Japan. Shamanism is Korea’s oldest religion.
Filed under: Asia, Identity, Korean Society, history, religion | Tagged: Jindo, Korea, religion, shaman
Yes, indeed, it is sad that there has been an ongoing decline in shamanic practice around the world. This documentary “Ancient Astronauts – The Shaman” reveals that shamans were the first healers and scientists and are responsible for early human evolution. Sadly, it is part of a hidden history that is rarely acknowledged.