Animism has remained a key feature of Korean culture from premodern times despite a lack of organizational force of its own. Animism has also extensively permeated into institutional religions, whether directly or indirectly, in Korean history. Dr. Oh explores why it has been the case and what impact animism has brought upon Korean culture as a source of life-vitality from a theoretical and comparative perspective.
On the other hand, in traditional Korean society, peripatetic troupes of entertainment known as namsadang offered an opportunity of unusual play to the ruled class away from daily routines. The namsadang troupes who functioned at social margins were a source of liberation to people who were subjected to control and disadvantage. Dr. Lee examines how liminality in traditional Korean society turned out to be a source of liberation. As a whole, this special seminar will explore the ways in which Koreans with little power and prestige have tried to make their lives more meaningful and more resilient at social margins.
Date & Time:
Thursday, August 3 | 2:00-5:00 PM (PT)
Location:
Room 604 (seminar room), UBC Asian Centre, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver
Speakers:
Dr. Sunmin Oh (Sejong Inmun) on “Animism as a source of life-vitality”
Dr. Yeounsuk Lee (Hitotsubashi Univ.) on “Liminality as a source of liberation”
Discussants:
Dr. Kangnam Oh (Univ. of Regina)
Dr. Nam-lin Hur (UBC)
To attend the event, please send RVSP to namlin.hur@ubc.ca by July 31, 2023