Humanities of East Asia: Shamanism

Flashcards outlining key vocabulary and concepts related to the study of Shamanism and cultural history in East Asia.

Manshin

Spiritual mediums in Korean shamanism who mediate between the supernatural and human worlds.

Shamanism

A belief system involving the mediation between the spiritual and physical worlds, often characterized by ritualistic practices.

Confucianism

A philosophical system emphasizing moral integrity, social harmony, and a patriarchal order; predates shamanism, Daoism, and Buddhism.

Gut

Traditional shamanistic rites performed to invoke blessings from gods for purification, protection, and prosperity.

Modernization

The transition from agricultural society to a high-tech culture; involves significant social, economic, and cultural changes.

Patriarchal Order

A social structure in which men hold primary power, prevalent in Confucianism.

Matrilineal Order

A social structure in which lineage and inheritance are traced through the mother, associated with shamanism.

Anti-Superstition Movements

Efforts to diminish or eliminate belief in traditional or shamanistic practices, often demonized by Christianity.

Historical Events

Significant occurrences in the past that have shaped the contemporary cultural and political landscape of Korea.

Korean War

A conflict between North and South Korea from 1950 to 1953, which has greatly influenced Korean national identity.