Gut (ritual)

Gut (Korean: 굿, also romanised kut or goot) are the rites performed by Korean shamans, involving offerings and sacrifices to gods, spirits and ancestors.^[1] They are characterised by rhythmic movements, songs, oracles and prayers.^[2] These rites are meant to create welfare, promoting commitment between the spirits and humankind.^[1] The major categories of rites are the naerim-gut, the dodang-gut and the ssitgim-gut.

Through song and dance, the shaman begs the gods to intervene in the fortune of humans. The shaman wears a very colourful costume and normally speaks in ecstasy. During a rite, the shaman changes his or her costume several times. Rituals consist of various phases, called gori.^[3]

In Jeju Island, gut rituals involve the recitation of a myth about the deities being invoked, called bon-puri. Similar narratives are also found in mainland shamanism.

^ ^a ^b Lee (1981), p. 27.
^ Lee (1981), p. 40.
^ Lee (1981), p. 31.

[FOOTNOTELee198127-1] Lee (1981), p. 27.

[FOOTNOTELee198140-2] Lee (1981), p. 40.

[FOOTNOTELee198131-3] Lee (1981), p. 31.

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