Exorcism of Korean Shaman | Korean Shamanism Story

Summary

The video explores the practice of Korean shamanism, specifically focusing on a ritual known as 'ham gyeongdoo bangmukut.' Led by shaman Hoyujung, this ceremony is performed to deceive the green reapers and protect the sick. Through a series of symbolic acts, such as fake funerals, rituals with dolls, and prayers to the guardian spirits, the shaman seeks to rid patients of harmful spirits and encourage recovery. The video also highlights the cultural significance of Korean shamanism and the effort to preserve and revive ancient traditions in a modern world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ritual centers on Korean shamanism, particularly the 'ham gyeongdoo bangmukut,' a dying tradition focused on deceiving the green reapers.
• 😀 The shaman, Hoyujung, is dedicated to reviving and preserving this ancient ritual, which is deeply tied to Korean cultural heritage.
• 😀 The main purpose of the ritual is to trick the grim reapers into believing a person has already passed away, thus sparing them from taking the patient.
• 😀 The ritual takes place in the valley of Tibet, where the shaman purifies the area using the 'ubangi,' a flag representing the five bearings and cardinal points.
• 😀 Offering food and straw shoes to the green reapers is a key element of the ritual, meant to prevent them from being upset when they are deceived and sent away.
• 😀 The 'kopuri' ceremony, which involves tying knots with fabric or string, is used to remove ancestral resentment and protect the sick from illness.
• 😀 The use of symbolic objects, like the doll representing the patient and the 'Xindanka' (a knife), are central to the ritual's healing process.
• 😀 The shaman dances with a head scarf and hemp cloth, embodying the spirit of the patient to ensure recovery from illness.
• 😀 The ritual includes a fake funeral to trick the green reapers, using symbolism to deceive death and lead the patient back to life.
• 😀 Korean shamanism, as exemplified in this ritual, is considered a valuable cultural heritage that preserves national identity and ancestral wisdom.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is on Korean shamanism, particularly a ritual called 'ham gyeongdoo bangmukut.' It showcases how a woman shaman, Hoyujung, is working to revive this ancient practice to help heal the sick by deceiving the grim reaper and preventing death.

What role does the shaman Hoyujung play in the ritual?

Shaman Hoyujung plays the central role in performing the ritual. She is responsible for carrying out the spiritual acts to deceive the grim reapers and help the sick person recover from their illness, all while preserving the tradition of Korean shamanism.

What is the purpose of the ritual in the video?

The ritual's purpose is to deceive the grim reapers into believing that the person they came to claim has already passed away. This act prevents the reapers from taking the sick person’s soul, which in turn aids in their recovery from illness.

What does the *ubangi* represent in the ritual?

The *ubangi* is a flag that represents the five bearings (the four cardinal directions and the center). It is used by the shaman to purify the area and perform rituals related to the spiritual journey of the sick person.

What does the shaman use the 'kopuri' ritual for?

The 'kopuri' ritual is used to remove the resentment of the ancestors that have not been resolved during their lifetime. It involves tying knots with a string or fabric to symbolize the release of this resentment and to pray for the sick person's recovery.

How does the shaman perform the ritual of deceiving the grim reaper?

The shaman performs a fake funeral for the sick person. She uses a doll as a substitute for the patient, symbolically guiding the deceased to the next world by taking a left turn. Then, she turns right to signal the patient’s return to life, tricking the grim reaper into leaving.

What is the significance of the left and right turns in the ritual?

In the ritual, taking a left turn symbolizes leading the spirit to the afterlife, while taking a right turn signifies bringing the spirit back to life. These directions represent the shaman’s efforts to control the flow of life and death in the patient's recovery process.

What is 'chutang' and how is it related to illness?

'Chutang' refers to an evil spirit that enters a person when they attend a funeral. It causes unexplained illness and can lead to death if not removed. The shaman performs a ritual to eliminate this spirit from the sick person.

What is the *shindanka* knife used for in the ritual?

The *shindanka* is a knife used by the shaman to chase away evil spirits. In the ritual, the shaman uses the knife to perform a purification act by turning around repeatedly and throwing the knife in a specific direction to rid the patient of negative spirits.

Why is it important for the shaman to revive the ritual of ham gyeongdoo bangmukut?

Reviving the ritual is crucial to preserving a dying cultural heritage. It is seen as a way to maintain Korean identity and the spiritual wisdom passed down by ancestors, which is at risk of being forgotten in modern times.