ABSTRACT
The literature on Korean shamanism has consistently reported the negative connotations associated with shamans and their practice. Shamanic practice was referred to as a ‘matter of malignance in traditional Korea. It is hard to deny the fact that Korean Christianity has also suffered from shamanism. Seeing everything in terms of fiscal matters, shamanism would take no responsibility for society and history. The chapter is concerned with the origins of the prejudice against shamanism found in Korean society. It focuses on ordinary Korean women and their opinions of shamanism. The chapter demonstrates the logic behind the prejudice against shamanism, which is grounded in the cultural contradiction. Many anthropologists have commented on negative opinions toward shamanism in Korea. Their explanations have, however, mostly focused on the cultural politics between Confucianism and shamanism from the fifteenth century onwards.
