Laurel Kendall News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

NEW YORK -- Portrayals of shaman rituals or shrines in Korean dramas often give off a spooky or menacing vibe. But 22-year-old Laurel Kendall felt none of that when she first encountered a shaman ritual, or “gut,” in the early 1970s in rural Korea. “I was struck by how vibrant, colorful and exciting it was. The place was packed, and it was of course very intense,” the adjunct professor of anth...

While politicians in this country have come under scrutiny for their alleged ties to shamans and popular television dramas like 'The Glory' have portrayed shamanism as a 'backward' or 'evil' practice, the 2023 Shamanism Festival highlighted a very different picture. It demonstrated the richness of shamanic practice as a cultural symbol that traces its roots to traditional societies around the world while showcasing regional forms of shamanism as vibrant and engaging parts of contemporary life.

Portrayals of shaman rituals or shrines in Korean dramas often give off a spooky or menacing vibe. But 22-year-old Laurel Kendall felt none of that when she first encountered a shaman ritual, or “gut,” in the early 1970s in rural Korea. “I was struck by how vibrant, colorful and exciting it was. The place was packed, and it was of course very intense,” the professor of anthropology at Columbia...

An awareness of the spirit world was a crucial component in missionary efforts to spread the gospel.