Shaman appeases spirits after Korean arson attack
Wed Feb 20, 2008 -- http://news.yahoo.com
SEOUL (Reuters Life!) - More than 500 South Koreans braved the cold to attend a shamanistic ritual in front of the charred remains of a 600-year-old city gate ranked as the country's top national treasure.
The imposing wooden gate was destroyed last week in an arson attack.
A shaman walked over blades in a display of power meant to repel evil spirits and appease ancestors that might have been angered by the attack, while onlookers offered money to a pig's carcass symbolizing happiness.
"We organized this ritual service for visitors to bow with piety and with regrets to our ancestors," said Lee Ki-seon, one of the organizers of the three-day event that started on Tuesday.
South Korean police last week arrested a man who confessed to burning down Namdaemun, or "Great South Gate," because he was angry over compensation for a development project he said claimed his property.
Shamans in South Korea derive their beliefs from folk religions in northeast Asia. They are believed to communicate with the spiritual world and often offer their services in chasing away evil spirits or asking a dead relative for help and advice.
A group called the "Namdaemun lovers" organized the ritual.
"I thought it would stay near us all the time. Now my heart is breaking and I feel ashamed at the same time as a Korean," said Lee Jae-ho, 50.
It was a sentiment felt by many spectators at the ritual, who said they were ashamed because they failed to protect the gate.
"I feel ashamed to my offspring. I cannot describe what I am feeling. We should restore it for our descendants," said Kim Hee-bok, 68.
The arsonist apologized last Friday for setting the gate on fire. No one was injured in the blaze.
Namdaemun has withstood invasions and colonial occupiers and was one of the few historic structures in Seoul to remain standing after the 1950 to 1953 Korean War.
Since the attack, hundreds of outraged South Koreans have gathered near it every day.
(Reporting by Kim Do-gyun; Writing by Sophie Hardach; Editing by David Fogarty)
