When describing something frightening, Koreans used the expression “scarier than tiger attacks or small pox.” There used to be a large tiger population in the tall, rough mountains of Korea. In winter, when prey was scarce, tigers would come down from the deep mountain forests to human villages for food. The predatory animals were often worshipped as fearful gods and old Koreans used to call tigers the kings of the mountains. As for small pox, the deadly infectious disease accounted for 10% of all deaths in Korea. It must have been one of the most terrifying diseases in the old days when medicine and doctors were scarce. Gut굿 or shamanistic rituals to chase away evil spirits always included a part about warding off small pox. That ceremony was called “Sonnim-gut.”

Sonnim-gut

Ancient Koreans had a peculiar way to stave off disasters or evil spirits. They didn’t just drive away the evil spirits, they treated them with respect and care. Just as tigers were called kings of the mountains, small pox was labeled “mama” or “sonnim손님.” The term “mama” was bestowed on kings and queens, much like “Your Majesty” in the West. Since small pox was considered the most lethal disease of the time, it was given the highest honor. Also, the term “sonnim,” meaning guest in Korean, indicated that small pox should not stay long, but leave as soon as it had received a welcoming meal. In Jeju Island small pox is referred to as “manura baesong마누라배송.” The word “manura” is a demeaning term for wife nowadays, but in the old times it indicated someone of high status, much like “mama.” “Baesong” means to send off in a rush, so the whole expression meant “a valued yet unwelcome guest.” The disease was also called “hogubyeolseong호구별성,” which indicated a special spirit of someone who died an unfair death. Many of the gods worshipped by shaman priestesses were originally those who had met sad and wrongful deaths. Fueled by their grief and fury, their spirits were deemed that much more powerful and empathetic to the woes of people.

Byeolsanggeori

That was “Byeolsanggeori,” a part of Mangudatak-gut만구대탁굿 passed down in Hwanghae Province. Modern people may look down on treating diseases with a shamanistic ceremony, but small pox prevention methods weren’t introduced to the country until the late Joseon era. Esteemed Joseon scholar Jeong Yak-yong정약용 found out about small pox vaccination when he was in China and even wrote a book about it. Inoculation with cowpox material was once carried out in the provinces of Pyeongan, Hwanghae and Gangwon, but failed to be implemented in other areas. Without vaccination or a cure, gut was probably the only possible solution left for ordinary people. Starting in 1967, the World Health Organization launched a worldwide small pox eradication program, and twelve years later, declared the deadly disease was eradicated. The last small pox case was reported in 1977. Although mankind finally got rid of one of the most virulent diseases, threats still persist. In 1992, as he sought asylum in the U.S., a microbiologist from the old Soviet Union disclosed that the Soviet Union had developed a biological weapon with small pox virus. People who weaponize such a devastating disease seem more absurd and foolish than those who rely on shamanistic rituals to treat illnesses. This week’s Sounds of Korea will conclude with “Sonnim-gut” from Jindo Ssitgim-gut.

“Sonnim-gut” from Jindo Ssitgim-gut