Jeju's Largest Shamanistic Ritual Designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage

'Jeju Keungut' Music, Dance, and Play Reflect the Life History of Locals
"Preserving the Original Form of Korean Gut" Recognized as a Holder Group by Jeju Keungut Preservation Society

The largest shamanistic ritual in Jeju is now managed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is called 'Jeju Keun Gut.' The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 22nd that the designation as an intangible cultural heritage was confirmed after deliberation by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. This Gut has been passed down in Jeju for a long time. The music, dance, and play intertwined in it fully embody the lived experiences of the local people. It is the first time in 41 years since November 1980, when the 'Jeju Pilmeoridang Yeongdeung Gut' was designated, that a Jeju shamanistic ritual has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage.

Jeju Keun Gut generally involves five or more participants, including a chief shaman (sim-bang), lasting about 7 to 15 days. Its composition has a ritualistic formal beauty. The sequence proceeds by inviting the gods and seating them at the ritual altar, followed by Yeongsin (the shaman welcoming the gods), Osin (the shaman entertaining the gods with dance and song), and Songsin (the shaman sending off the gods after the Gut).

Another notable feature is the Yeoldubonpuri. This is the act of the sim-bang sitting in front of the ritual table and reciting the gods' origin stories. The narrative songs reflect Jeju people's concepts of creation, life, and death, fully revealing the worldview of the local community. The lyrics are also linguistically important as they use the Jeju dialect unchanged. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "It preserves not only a long historical background but also the original form of Korean Gut," adding, "It includes various elements such as Jeju music, dance, oral epics, and play, making it highly valuable academically."

Along with the designation as an intangible cultural heritage, the Cultural Heritage Administration recognized the Jeju Keun Gut Preservation Society as the holder organization. Established in September 2012, it faithfully implements Jeju Keun Gut in its traditional form and is judged to have an outstanding commitment to its transmission.

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