Musok | The Legacy and History of Korean Shamanism a Religion of Resistance

For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history

When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows.

Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds.

This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that kept their traditions alive.

✨ How Korean shamanism became a lifeline for women cast out by Confucian society

🔥 The intense, years-long process of becoming a mudang—spoiler: you don’t choose the spirits, the spirits choose you

💃 The theatrical rituals where women channeled gods, ancestors, and spirits through dance and song

🔮 How shamanism was an underground act of resistance, giving women power in a world that denied them autonomy

🎭 The women of Jeju Island who used humor to make the gods laugh—and force them to bring blessings

Despite centuries of persecution, Korean folk religion is still alive. Today, mudang practice in secret and in broad daylight, performing rituals for everyone from K-pop idols to business moguls. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when women are pushed to the margins, they don’t disappear—they fight, they adapt, and they rise.

Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!

https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025

Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨

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