Contemporary Korean Shamanism

<p><b>Once viewed as an embarrassing superstition the theatrical religious performances of Korean shamans--who communicate with the dead divine the future and become possessed--are going mainstream. Attitudes toward Korean shamanism are changing as shamanic traditions appear in staged rituals museums films and television programs as well as on the internet.</b><br /><br /><i>Contemporary Korean Shamanism</i> explores this vernacular religion and practice which includes sensory rituals using laden altars ecstatic dance and animal sacrifice within South Korea's hypertechnologized society where over 200000 shamans are listed in professional organizations. Liora Sarfati reveals how representations of shamanism in national commercialized and screen-mediated settings have transformed opinions of these religious practitioners and their rituals.<br /><br />Applying ethnography and folklore research <i>Contemporary Korean Shamanism</i> maps this shift in perception about shamanism--from a sign of a backward undeveloped Korea to a valuable indigenous cultural asset.</p>