Book

Shamans, housewives and other restless spirits: women in Korean ritual life

University of Hawaii PressHonolulu, Hawaii • Published In 1985 • Pages: xiii, 234

By: Kendall, Laurel.

Abstract
The focus of this study is the system of religious beliefs and practices found among women and female shamans (or MANSIN), in and around Enduring Pine Village in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea. Kendall explores the whole ritual realm of women including data on the specific rites that demarcate it, '…the supernatural beings who inhabit it, and the shamans who diagnose its vicissitudes and heal its ills' (p. ix). In addition to being a highly readable and informative book, this document also provides much information on the structure of the Korean family, and the place of women and their ceremonies in Korean social life.
Subjects
Gender status
Household
Magical and mental therapy
Shamans and psychotherapists
Cult of the dead
Eschatology
Spirits and gods
Prayers and sacrifices
Revelation and divination
Organized ceremonial
culture
Korea
HRAF PubDate
1998
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1995
Field Date
ca. mid 1970s
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Enduring Pine village, Korea
Notes
Laurel Kendall
Includes bibliographical references (p. 213) and index
LCCN
84024138
LCSH
Koreans