Meet Himalayan Spirits in Seoul
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Various ethnic groups reside on the steep slopes of the Himalayas, from the great mountains to the plains. Despite their diversity, the groups form a unique geographical culture that well represents their way of life and thought.
But modernization has seeped into the region and openness to the outside world has eroded traditional and religious values.
Their artistic endeavors, deeply rooted in shamanism beliefs, are reflected in Himalayan traditional costumes and ornaments, which are now difficult to find even among people living on the slopes of the mountain ranges.
The Gallery the, which opened on Nov. 26 in Insa-dong, central Seoul, is displaying about 500 pieces of Himalayan traditional artifacts until the end of December.
In cooperation with Shin Young-su, director of the Tibet
Museum and the Silk Road Museum, the gallery presents the rare collection under the title ``Color of Himalayan.''
Most of the artifacts on display, such as crafts, styles and objects show not only ancient deities but forms of worship.
The collection comes from Shin, who has garnered the items over the last 15 years traveling around Nepal, the Himalayas and Chamagodo.
The exhibition features the items used for the shamanistic rituals in the 19th century. It includes shamanist costumes and tools with vivid and flamboyant colors.
``I didn't know such a vast Himalayan shamanistic collection was here in Korea. The collection is distinguished and can hardly be found in any other country on this scale by one individual collector,'' said Yang Jong-seung, curator of the National Folk Museum of Korea.
Himalayan tribal art is characterized primarily by its links with shamanism, which underlies all religious beliefs in the region. ``But it is still less known about the art, statuary, ritual objects, or even older items of daily use, despite their cultural or aesthetic value,'' Han Jong-hwa, the director of the gallery, said.
The shamanist costumes in the region feature a grand spectacle of enchanting designs, forms and vivid color.
The ornaments include feathers from chickens and peacocks on their hats, while people hang accessories made from bones, tigers' teeth, eagles' talons, snake bones and shells on their neck.
Unlike Korean shamans who hold a trident in their hands, Himalayan shamans put it on the altar or on their heads. Their trident is small in size.
The trident was a symbol of Neptune and Poseidon in European culture but it was a symbol of evil in early modern times.
But for Himalayans, the trident is a symbol of the gods, which means the three worlds, three times and three looks ― Brahma, Vishnu and Mahader ― of the God Shiva.
For that reason, the Himalayan shamans put it on the altar and in their homes. The trident is made of copper as they believe its color connects the three worlds.
The shamans' hand bells symbolize Kali and Yoni (goddesses), which are often used on the handles of ritual tools, symbolizing the domes of the cosmos and the arch of heaven, according to the gallery.
The bell sounds are believed to produce positive energy and help the shamanistic journey to be successfully finished, breaking down all the obstacles for the dead.
Their headdresses are mostly decorated with the feathers of a peacock, but they didn't kill the birds to use the feathers. They used those naturally fallen from the birds. Peacocks, swans and pigeons are regarded as divine creatures in shamanistic tradition in the region.
The horns of wild animals were used as shamanistic tools ― made by hollowing and spiraling them out.
The shaman songs, maps and talismans are things to see in the exhibition. Also, various vessels, instruments and masks made from human bones are on display.
``It is very rare to see even if you go to the Himalayas now because the people in the mountain are in modern costumes, albeit worn-out. So the exhibition is interesting for many people who are interested in the region,'' Han said.
At the exhibition hall, visitors can also enjoy Nepalese music and tea. The exhibition will continue until Dec. 31. The gallery is located on the second floor of Gwangneung Building, Insa-dong. Admission is 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 722-8233.