Songs of the shaman
Book Description
Korean shamanism represents one of humanity's most enduring spiritual traditions, continuing to thrive within Korea's modern industrial landscape. In this groundbreaking scholarly exploration, Boudewijn Walraven opens a window into the sacred world of Korean shamanic practice through the lens of its most vital element: the ritual songs known as muga.
These powerful vocal expressions serve multiple spiritual functions, ranging from simple prayers and invocations to elaborate narrative epics that can span hours in performance. Some songs call upon divine forces, while others recount the mythic origins of the gods themselves. Through careful analysis of these sacred texts, Walraven reveals how shamanic songs connect deeply with Korea's broader literary heritage, particularly the vernacular poetry, songs, and tales that flourished during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The author provides essential context for understanding how these songs function within shamanic rituals, how they pass from one generation to the next, and what their distinctive style and content reveal about Korean spiritual life. Readers will discover translated excerpts from shorter invocations alongside two complete narrative muga, including one that chronicles significant moments in a Korean shaman's spiritual journey.
This comprehensive study offers invaluable insights for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of spirituality, oral tradition, and cultural preservation. Walraven's work illuminates how ancient wisdom traditions adapt and survive, maintaining their sacred power across centuries of social transformation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 307 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Religious life and customs
- ✓ Explore Sjamanisme
- ✓ Explore Vie religieuse
- ✓ Explore Koreaans
- ✓ Explore Korean Songs
- ✓ Explore Histoire et critique
- ✓ Explore shamanic practices
