 |
|  |
| Classification | Important Intangible Cultural Properties 72 |
| Name of Cultural Properties | Jindossitgimgut(Jindo island Ssitgimgut shaman exorcism) |
| Kind of Cultural Properties | Folk Play and Rite |
| Designated Date | 1980.11.17 |
| Address | Jeollanam-do (Wide Area), The Wide area of Jeollanam-do, Jeollanam-do. S.KOREA |
| Owner | Association for preservation of Jindossitgimgut |
| Manager | Jeollanam-do (Wide Area) |
The Sitgimgut (cleansing exorcism) of the Jindo Island is a form of exorcism performed by an exorcist. This is designed to satisfy the grudges of the dead and pray for his easy passage to the heaven. Since it cleanses the grudges the dead has against this world, it is called the cleansing exorcism.
Because of its strong Buddhist nature, the cleansing exorcism seems to be originated from the Goryeo Kingdom. The content of the exorcism varies depending on the time and place it is performed. The Gwakmeorisitgimgut is performed right next to the corpse during the funeral. The Sosangsitgimgut is performed in the night of the first anniversary of eh funeral. The Daesangsitgimgut was performed in the night of the second anniversary of the funeral. The Nalbajisitgimgut is performed when there is a patient in the family or ill fortune occurs too often. The Chobunijangsitgimgut is performed before moving the corpse from a temporary grave to a permanent one. The Yeonghwasitgimgut is performed when expressing gratitude to the ancestors for a happy event in the family. The Neokgeonjigigut is performed to comfort the soul of the person drowned to death. The Jeoseunghonsagut is performed to marry the souls of a couple who died as a bachelor and a virgin.
The procedure of a cleansing exorcism is as follows: greeting the Ancestral King on the day of his descent or family meeting; informing the ancestors of the exorcism; inviting the wandering souls of those who died on the street; inviting the souls of the dead; entertaining the invited souls; inviting and treating the Mamasin or the god of smallpox; comforting the dead by inviting his living friends; a Buddhist-style Jeseokgut; comforting the souls by untying the knots symbolizing the grudges of the dead; wrapping up the Yeongdon symbolizing the corpse; cleansing the corpse with clean water and praying for the easy passage into the heaven; taking out the soul from the Yeongdon to comfort it; satisfying all the grudges the dead had in this world; satisfying the grudges of the mortified souls; satisfying the grudges of the souls of the dead who had to die because they could not find the medication; confirming that all the grudges are satisfied; members of family or relatives holding a pole and talking to the souls of the dead; helping the dead to unravel the sexagenarian cycle in the Netherworld; cleaning the road to the heaven; and, finally, bidding farewell to the souls of the dead.
The Jindo Sitgimgut is performed to the accompaniment of a band composed of various string and wind instruments, including flute, large fife, Korean fiddle, hourglass-shaped drum and a large gong. The main tune of the music is the called Yukjabaegimok or Shinawimok. The exorcist ears a simple costume consisting of a white dress and a crimson belt, resembling the Buddhist priest's robe. In such costume, she dances to comfort the souls of the dead. There are two styles of songs: ones that are sung by the exorcist alone (Tongjeol) and the others for which the exorcist sings the first part and other participants follow with a refrain (Jangjeol). These songs have fluctuating melodies that are sung with various graceful vocal techniques, thus creating joyful and delightful tunes. The Jindogut is a form of exorcism containing a Buddhist element in which it prays for the safety of not only the dead but also the living. Because the songs and dances performed during the exorcism have high artistic as well as historic values, the art of exorcism is designated as an important intangible cultural asset. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
)
