Draft:Sesseummu

• Comment: Korean Encyclopedia considered as unreliable sources per WP:RS and error of parameters should fix it. Royiswariii Talk! 02:02, 5 December 2024 (UTC)

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Sesseummu (세습무)

Sesseummu (세습무) are hereditary shamans who practice a form of shamanism distinct from that of the regular mudang, or kangshinmu. While hereditary shamanism is not restricted to any specific region, it can be noted that it is practiced more often in the southern regions of Korea, with three separate forms based on region: 'Dangolne' in Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do and Gangwon-do, and 'Simbang' in Jeju-do. Much like mudang, sesseummu are primarily female, though male family members play other important roles in the rites and rituals such as playing instruments, telling pansori, conducting plays, or organizing the rituals . An important differentiation between between sesseummu and kangshinmu is that sesseummu are not possessed by a spirit or god in order to practice shamanism . They instead rely on their knowledge of rituals, in some cases guiding the spirit or god that is being communicated with to possess a member of the family who is having the gut performed.

In comparison to kangshinmu, sesseummu are uncommon and even in the areas where they are considered to be more prominent kangshinmu are used more often .

Training

New sesseummu learn all their skills within their home, either with their parents or, if they are inheriting the profession by marriage, with their in-laws. They must learn many different skills to include: cheongbae (chanting to spirits), dancing, chaedam (exchanges with the musicians), kongsu (delivering a message from the spirit), costume making, decoration making, kutdang cha'rim (preparation and maintenance of shrines and ritual sites), food preparation, kutcheolja (the sequence of rituals), mudang yaedo (behavior of a mudang), playing musical instruments, and singing.

Origin

Shamanism in Korea is believed to originate from north-east Asian and Arctic cultures. Correlations are often drawn between Siberian shamanism and Korean shamanism, especially as Siberian culture made the distinction between a hereditary and a charismatic shaman .

Dangolne

The Dangol (or Tangol) shamans are located in Jeolla-do, or what is known as the Honam region, and Gyeongsang. The term 'dangol' is used interchangeably to refer to the shaman and to refer to their customer. Dangol shamans, unlike other sesseummu, inherit specific jurisdiction in an area referred to as dangolpan. Each dangolpan usually has 5-10 villages, or around 500 households, which separates responsibility and limits who a dangol can provide services to.. Households are sold off and bought according to needs, and a shaman who secretly works in a household outside of their jurisdiction can be punished. As such the process for inheriting the profession is carefully managed, with a woman needing to marry into an established shaman family. Once married, she would be trained by her mother-in-law to perform rites and ceremonies alongside her husband . Just as with kangshinmu, the performance aspect of shamanism is very important. An interesting aspect of these regional shamans are their relationship with jeomjaengi, or fortunetellers, who have experiences of shinbyung. They attend guts and can perform at them, often working alongside the dangol

Simbang

The simbang of Jeju island differ from other hereditary shamans, bearing traits of kangshinmu. They are often wife and husband teams, using assistants of both genders with a usually equal ratio of men to women . However, they maintain the separation of the shaman and the spirit or god they communicate with, never being possessed and instead acting as a mediator. The process for inheriting the profession of a simbang varies, it can be passed down from parent to child, or an individual can marry into a simbang family and take on the profession, adoption is another legitimate way to gain a successor . There are also simbang who do not perform gut. For example there is a simbang called 'samseung halmang' who performs the role of a midwife while also making prayers to the appropriate gods to ensure the mother's and child's health . In this way simbang fulfill both spiritual and practical roles.