essay

The meaning of polution in Korean ritual life

religion and ritual in korean societyBerkeley, Calif. • Published In 1987 • Pages: 139-148

By: Ch'oe, Kil-song.

Abstract
This article addresses Korean notions of pollution (PUJONG). All rituals begin with a purification rite. Before carrying out a KUT, a shaman (MUDANG) purifies the ritual space by first sprinkling water onto the ground and altar, and then burning a paper torch. For Confucian ceremonies, a ritual official (CHEGWAN) cannot be handicapped, deformed, abnormal, or sick. He must be married, with at least one son, and his household free of ritual pollution. Prior to the ritual he must observe taboos and keep ascetic confinement for a period of seven days. Births are polluting. All postpartum excretions are ritually unclean and must be buried, and birth ropes strung up across the household gate to warn villagers of pollutants and also to keep polluted persons out. Death pollutes the whole community. Villagers must avoid washing clothes, put off marriage plans, and postpone any other rituals. Death pollution affects all kin, closely-related kin more so than distantly-related kin, no matter where they happen to live. The funeral ceremony is a means of purifying the the soul and transforming it into a sacred ancestor.
Subjects
Community structure
Magical and mental therapy
Burial practices and funerals
Eschatology
Purification and atonement
Childbirth
culture
Korea
HRAF PubDate
1998
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Indigenous Person
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1997
Field Date
1971-1972
Coverage Date
1950-1972
Coverage Place
Republic of Korea
Notes
Kil-song Ch'oe
Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-148)
LCCN
86082390
LCSH
Koreans