Mudan - Mudan

In Korean shamanism, it refers to female shamans, priestesses, and shrine maidens who act as intermediaries between gods and humans. Because there are few male shamans, the term is used in a broad sense to refer to all shamans, but male shamans are called _paksu (also called doctor or _paksa ). Because mudang contains discriminatory meanings, in the world today it is not called mudang but manshin (all gods).

Its origins date back to the mythological era, and through the era of unity of religion and politics, even in the Silla and Goryeo periods, they were involved in rituals, sorcery, oracles, and healing, and were highly valued in the royal court, but in the Yi dynasty, they were made outcasts. Currently, they make a living by hosting Kut (shamanistic rituals) aimed at the advancement of evildoers. The content of Kut varies slightly depending on the region, but it is centered around shaman songs (mu-ga) and shaman dances (mu-mu), which have had a huge influence on folk songs and dances.

[Kim Ryoki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

朝鮮の巫俗(ふぞく)信仰、シャーマニズムで、神と人間との間を仲立ちする女シャーマン、神女、巫女(みこ)のことをさす。男シャーマンの数が少ないことから、広義にはシャーマン全体をさすが、男シャーマンはパ_クス（博士・パ_クサとも）という。ムーダンには差別的な語義が含まれているために、現在、その世界ではムーダンとよばず万神(マンシン)という。

　その由来は神話時代にさかのぼり、祭政一致時代を経て新羅(しらぎ)や高麗(こうらい)時代も祭儀、呪術(じゅじゅつ)、託宣、治病などに携わり、宮中で重んじられたが、李朝(りちょう)になって賤民(せんみん)にされた。現在は僻邪進慶(へきじゃしんけい)を目的とするクッ（巫祭、神事）を主祭して生計を営んでいる。クッの内容は地域によって多少の差はあるが、巫歌(ムーガ)と巫舞(ムーム)を中心に展開され、それは歌謡や民族舞踊に非常に大きな影響を与えてきた。

［金　両　基］

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