‘대한민국 문화의 달 in 제주’를 맞이, 제주에 거주하는 외국인들에게 외부인들이 접하기 어려웠던 마을에 자리한 심오하고 특별한 제주 무속 문화를 소개하고 마을과 신당 탐방을 통해 소중한 제주 문화의 가치를 거주 외국인들에게 홍보 하는 문화 투어 프로그램.
Shamanic shrines are the island’s cathedrals Jeju Island is one of the rare regions in the Northern Hemisphere that can still boast of having maintained its traditional spiritual landscape, a network of storied, shamanic shrines, visited by locals until this day. Like the European country of Estonia, rare parts of Russia, China and many regions of Japan, Jeju has a living ‘spiritscape’, that is a landscape of spiritual markers where people seek out deities they believe to be nestled right into the land. Each of these sites is associated with a myth, explaining the origin of the god therein. These religious myths, called bonpuri, make up the oral canon of Jeju Island’s native religion—Jeju musim or Jeju shamanism. It is said by shamans, that while the shrine may look like a simple stone structure or the base of a tree or cave to us humans, to the god residing therein, the shrine has all the trappings of a fine house. Thus, villagers treat the sacred area of the shrine, which is also associated with funerary and ancestral motifs, with great care. There is a ruggedness to each of Jeju’s shrines, relating to the people’s connection to nature. The island’s agriculturists and abalone divers still have their thumb resting of the pulse of the natural world and its seasonal changes. Fruit, vegetables, rice and other offerings are often left to decay in the shrines or to be carried off by wild animals. One gets the sense that this cycle of decay and abundance reflects the natural cycles of the seasons year in and year out. ● Hwaecheon-dong Semiharosandang— Gods’ names: Dongsemi Harosanddo, Lord of Halla Mountain, 8th or 12th son of the goddess Baekjuddo Harosanddo, one the powerful mountain deities of Halla Mountain, is the deity ‘seated’ in this shrine. Villagers fete the mountain god twice yearly during two rituals led by the local meinshimbang or shamans responsible for Hwaecheondong’s village shrine. As Harosanddo—Harosan refers to Halla Mountain and ddo a powerful deity’s signifier—is a mountain god associated with hunting, meat is accepted as part of his offering, a serious taboo prohibition in many other shrines. When villagers experience hardships or wish to express their hopes and prayers for the future, they visit Harosanddo to empty their hearts and petition him with prayer. During ceremonies, women who have married into the village, make offerings to their own native village gods in another part of the shrine. ▶Points for Discussion - Harosanddo’s parents, the shrine deities of Songdang-ri Village, Jeju’s foundation myth of farming and hunting - why do people pray in shrines? - the surprising cousin of the the hackberry tree - medicinal and dietary uses of hackberry, how hackberry trees on Jeju Island ‘follow’ human settlement - traditional wall construction on Jeju (Dr. Hong) - scientific reasons why healing starts even before visiting the shrine and continues in the ceremony, ‘story healing’ ● Ora-dong Jeongshil Donomi Shrine—God’s names: Joseutmul Samdebaji Samshinbeulbeob Halmanimddo, Kimssi Younggam Samshindaewang Tongjungdaebu (simply put—’Grandmother and Grandfather’ gods) In Jeongshil, two shrine deities are ‘seated’ in the shrine. The grandfather mountain god from the Kim family lineage, and a grandmother goddess originating from a far off village. The grandmother goddess, a goddess with the powers of aiding in childbirth and child raising, is from a coastal area. She is a sea goddess, the eldest daughter of the Sea King, who came to this village after being abandoned and banished by her family. Here, along with the Grandfather God, she is beloved by village residents who venerate her often with gifts, both in village ceremonies and during individual visits to the shrines. We can leave gifts, too, but beware, the Grandmother and Grandfather gods’ tastes must be matched with the correct items, just as with all of Jeju Island’s gods! You will see that the Grandmother Goddess’s place at the altar is marked by pink flowers and the Grandfather God’s with purple. ▶Points for Discussion - Couple gods and meat taboos in some shrines - gods banished by their families - the power of goddesses on Jeju Island, the banished goddess Kameungjangagi, Jeju Island’s goddess of fate, other important goddesses - reports of Miracles occurring at shrines - Fishing villages and farming villages - the ‘superstition prohibition’ of the New Village Movement era and the destruction of shrines on Jeju Island - the shaman’s extensive role in Jeju Villages - the 4.3 uprising and its relation to shamanism past and present ※ Guides: Giuseppe Rositano(an expat documentary maker) Sunyoung Hong(local expert, PhD. in cultural tourism) | 
