A pele da Terra / The skin of the earth / La piel de la tierra

A experiência com as plantas de poder permite o contato com outro tipo de sensibilidade daquela a que estamos acostumados no mundo ocidental. A situação ambiental do planeta se apresenta de modo imagético e emocional. A partir disso é feita uma aproximação com a psicologia analítica, a linguagem simbólica e o conhecimento dos indígenas da etnia yanomami. A possibilidade de extinção da vida na Terra tem sido uma preocupação que cresce dia a dia. Como evitá-la dentro das condições políticas e econômicas atuais ainda é um problema sem solução. Algumas propostas são apresentadas e cotejadas com o conhecimento indígena. A necessidade de compreender e assimilar esta sabedoria ancestral parece ser uma contribuição essencial para o encaminhamento de soluções.

The experience with plants of power enables contact with another type of sensibility than the one we are used to in the western world. The planet's environmental situation is presented in an imagery and emotional way. From this, an approximation is made with analytical psychology, symbolic language and the knowledge of the indigenous people of the Yanomami ethnic group. The possibility of extinction of life on Earth has been a growing concern. How to avoid it within current political and economic conditions is still a problem to be solved. Some proposals are presented and compared with indigenous knowledge. The need to understand and assimilate this ancestral wisdom seems to be an essential contribution to finding solutions.

Una experiencia con plantas de poder permite entrar en contacto con otro tipo de sensibilidad a la que estamos acostumbrados en el mundo occidental. La situación ambiental del planeta se presenta de modo imagético y emocional. A partir de eso se hace una aproximación con la psicología analítica, el lenguaje simbólico y el conocimiento de los Indígenas de la etnia Yanomami. Una posibilidad de extinción de la vida en la tierra ha sido una preocupación que crece día a día. Cómo evitarla dentro de las condiciones políticas y económicas actuales sigue siendo un problema sin solución. Algunas propuestas son presentadas y cotejadas con el conocimiento indígena. La necesidad de comprender y asimilar esta sabiduría ancestral parece ser una contribución esencial para el encaminamiento de soluciones.

O Xamanismo da Psicologia / The Shamanism of the Psychology

INTRODUÇÃO: O Xamanismo está presente na humanidade desde o período Paleolítico, muitos recursos do campo psicológico dialogam implícita ou explicitamente com esta tradição: a hipnose, o efeito placebo, a interpretação dos sonhos, técnicas meditativas de visualização, relaxamento e dramatização, a catarse e o manejo de sentido e simbolismo nas doenças e eventos da vida são exemplos. OBJETIVO: Reconhecer a presença do xamanismo e seus saberes afins à psicologia, visibilizando suas contribuições na atualidade. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo teórico com base uma revisão bibliográfica narrativa. RESULTADOS: Procuramos reconhecer o xamanismo da psicologia partindo de uma crítica descolonial da história da psicologia e do xamanismo. Em seguida, destacamos algumas traduções epistemológicas que ajudam no reconhecimento do xamanismo na atualidade: a ideia de especialidade biológica; a noção de tecnologias do sagrado; bem como a incorporação da meditação e dos psicodélicos como inovação "psi". CONCLUSÃO: Apresentamos três importantes considerações: a validade do xamanismo pela ciência não deve ser baliza de seu mérito; a psicologia deve construir uma reflexividade ética para não atuar como colonizadora do xamanismo e, por fim, reconhecer o xamanismo da psicologia permite reconhecer o próprio campo no qual é agente.

INTRODUCTION: Shamanism has been present in humanity since the Paleolithic period. Many resources in the psychological field come from this tradition: hypnosis, the placebo effect, the interpretation of dreams, meditative techniques of visualization, relaxation and dramatization, catharsis, and the management of meaning and symbolism in diseases and life events are examples. OBJECTIVE: Recognize the presence of shamanism and its knowledge related to psychology, making its contributions and contributions visible today. METHOD: This is a theoretical study based on a narrative bibliographic review. RESULTS: We tried to recognize the shamanism of psychology based on a decolonial critique of the history of psychology and shamanism. Then, we highlight some epistemological translations that do not recognize shamanism today: the idea of biological specialty, a notion of technologies of the sacred, as well as the incorporation of meditation and psychedelics as a "psi" innovation. CONCLUSION: We present three important considerations: the validity of shamanism by science should not be a mark of merit; psychology must build ethical reflexivity in order not to act as a colonizer of shamanism; and, finally, recognizing the shamanism of psychology allows us to recognize the very field in which it is an agent.

Política pública transcultural y factores no adherentes al TARGA del VIH-sida etnia Perú-Amazónica Kusu Pagata / Cross-cultural public policy and factors not adherent to HIV-aids HAART-Peru-Amazon ethnic group Kusu Pagata

Introducción: Uno de los problemas que afecta los pueblos indígenas latinoamericanos es la falta de datos epidemiológicos respecto a la prevalencia del VIH-sida, debido a que los sistemas de información y vigilancia no registran la variable etnicidad. Objetivo: Proponer una política pública transcultural para prevenir factores asociados a la no adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad del VIH-Sida de la etnia Amazónica Kusu Pagata. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, con 18 pobladores diagnosticados de VIH-sida en la comunidad Kusu Pagata, Perú. 2018-2019. Se aplicó cuestionario validado por expertos y confiabilidad alfa de Cronbach (0,71). La variable investigada fue factores asociados a la no adherencia a terapia antirretroviral, la propuesta fue una política pública basada en la Teoría de Madeleine Leininger. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas (promedio, desviación estándar) e inferencial (prueba de comparación de promedios para varianzas homogéneas Shapiro-Wilk y prueba F para comparación de varianzas de 1 cola). Resultados: La edad promedio del paciente no adherente al tratamiento fue 21 años, significativamente mayor que la de los adherentes (18,2) años. El 80 por ciento de los que acudieron al curandero fueron no adherentes al tratamiento, el 50 por ciento fueron adherentes y acudieron al establecimiento sanitario. El 64 por ciento consumió tratamientos con productos elaborados con plantas, los que se consideraron no adherentes al tratamiento farmacológico, el 71 por ciento tomó otros tratamientos alternos. Conclusión: Se propuso una política pública transcultural según Teoría de Madeleine Leininger para prevenir factores asociados a la no adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral del VIH-sida de la etnia Amazónica Kusu Pagata(AU)

Introduction: One of the problems affecting Latin American indigenous peoples is the lack of epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of HIV-Aids, due to the fact that the information and surveillance systems do not register the ethnicity variable. Objective: To propose a cross-cultural public policy to prevent factors associated with non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV-Aids of the Amazon Kusu Pagata ethnic group. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with 18 residents diagnosed with HIV-Aids in the Kusu Pagata community, Peru. 2018-2019. An expertly validated questionnaire and Cronbach's alpha reliability (0.71) were applied. The variable investigated was factors associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy; the proposal was a public policy based on the Theory of Madeleine Leininger. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (means comparison test for homogeneous Shapiro - Wilk variances and F-test for comparison of 1-tail variances) were used. Results: The average age of the patient not adherent to the treatment was 21 years, significantly higher than that of the adherents (18.2) years. 80.00 percent of those who went to the healer were non-adherent to the treatment, 50.00 percent were adherent and went to the health facility. 64.00 percent consumed treatments with products made with plants, those who were considered non-adherent to the pharmacological treatment, 71.00 percent took other alternative treatments. Conclusion: A cross-cultural public policy was proposed according to Madeleine Leininger's Theory to prevent factors associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV-AIDS of the Amazon Kusu Pagata ethnic group(AU)

Referencia de los usos medicinales del chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) por curanderos del distrito de Santa María de Huachipa, Lurigancho, Lima - Perú: un estudio cualitativo / Information on medicinal uses of chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) from folk healers of the district of Santa María de Huachipa, Lurigancho, Lima - Peru: a qualitative study

RESUMEN Objetivo Indagar acerca de las principales indicaciones, propiedades y formas de uso del chuchuhuasi referidas por un grupo de curanderos de Santa María de Huachipa (Lima-Perú). Existen antecedentes de estudios de los usos medicinales del chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) en comunidades nativas de la Amazonía, tanto por el poblador como por indicación del terapeuta tradicional; sin embargo, las referencias del uso y propiedad medicinal del chuchuhuasi en la costa, y en la comunidad urbana son escasas. Materiales y métodos Diez curanderos participaron de forma voluntaria. Se aplicó un cuestionario (mediante entrevista) que indagó acerca del uso del chuchuhuasi (propiedades, efectos adversos, contraindicaciones y formas farmacéuticas). La participación se registró con videograbaciones y luego se transcribió; posteriormente, los datos se categorizaron mediante pares y se definieron por consenso. Resultados Las principales indicaciones de consumo de chuchuhuasi fueron los problemas respiratorios (80,00 %) y osteotendinosos. Las propiedades antiinflamatorias y afrodisíacas fueron las más relevantes; y como efecto adverso se reportó el mareo. El producto estaba contraindicado en gestantes, hipertensos y diabéticos. Además, las principales formas farmacéuticas de consumo fueron el macerado, la pomada y la infusión. Conclusiones Se encontró la referencia del uso del chuchuhuasi en un grupo de curanderos del distrito de Santa María de Huachipa (Lima-Perú). La indicación más importante de su empleo son los problemas respiratorios y se destaca su propiedad antinflamatoria.

ABSTRACT Objective To inquire the main conditions, properties and ways of consumption of chuchuhuasi from a group of folk healers of the district of Santa María de Huachipa (Lima - Peru). There are studies of the medicinal uses of chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) in native communities of the Amazon known by the inhabitants and indicated by folk healers. However, information on the medicinal uses and properties of chuchuhuasi on the coast and in urban communities is rare. Materials and methods Ten folk healers voluntarily participated in the study. An interview questionnaire was administered to inquire the use of chuchuhuasi (properties, adverse effects, contraindications and ways of consumption). The interview was recorded and then transcribed. Afterwards, the data was categorized by peers and defined by consensus. Results: The main conditions for consuming chuchuhuasi were respiratory tract (80 %) and osteotendinous junction problems. The most important properties of chuchuhuasi were its anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac effects. Dizziness was reported as adverse effect. Chuchuhuasi was contraindicated in pregnancy, hypertension and diabetes. In addition, its main ways of consumption were as spirit, ointment and infusion. Conclusions Information on the medicinal uses of chuchuhuasi was obtained from a group of folk healers of the district of Santa María de Huachipa (Lima - Peru). The main condition for consuming chuchuhuasi was respiratory tract problems, and its anti- inflammatory properties were highlighted.

Prácticas en búsqueda de legitimidad: el uso contemporáneo de la ayahuasca, entre reivindicaciones terapéuticas y religiosas / Practices in search of legitimacy: the contemporary use of ayahuasca, between religious and therapeutic vindications

RESUMEN El creciente interés de los occidentales por la bebida psicotrópica ayahuasca y la participacion en rituales exóticos ha llevado en las últimas décadas a la multiplicación de los "centros chamánicos" en la Amazonía peruana. Entre estos, el centro Takiwasi es una comunidad terapéutica que acoge cada año a cientos de clientes nacionales y extranjeros. Esta institución, creada por un médico francés en 1992, fue originalmente destinada a proponer una alternativa terapéutica para el tratamiento de la adicción, y se caracterizaba por el uso de ciertas herramientas del chamanismo mestizo peruano articuladas con la biomedicina y la psicología clínica. La evolución diacrónica de la institución está, sin embargo, marcada por la creciente utilización de elementos de la tradición católica. Examino aquí la hipótesis de que estas transformaciones pueden ser interpretadas como los efectos de la globalización del uso de la ayahuasca y sus consecuencias jurídicas y políticas. De este modo, el caso de Takiwasi subraya el papel jugado por las tradiciones religiosas y el campo médico en la construcción, la legitimación y el mantenimiento de las prácticas nuevas e híbridas que se multiplican alrededor del uso de la ayahuasca.

ABSTRACT In recent decades, the growing interest of Westerners in the psychotropic brew ayahuasca and the participation in exotic rituals has led to the multiplication of "shamanic centers" in the Peruvian Amazon. Among these, Takiwasi is a therapeutic community that welcomes hundreds of national and foreign clients every year. This institution, created by a French physician in 1992, was originally intended to propose a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of addiction, characterized by the use of tools of Peruvian mestizo shamanism, biomedicine and clinical psychology. The diachronic evolution of the institution is however marked by the growing use of elements of the Catholic tradition. In this article, I will examine the hypothesis that these transformations can be interpreted as the effects of the globalization of the use of ayahuasca and its legal and political consequences. Thus, the case of Takiwasi underlines the role played by religious traditions and the medical field in the construction, legitimization and maintenance of new and hybrid practices that are multiplying around the use of ayahuasca.

Tradición, improvisación y modernidad en el chamanismo maya yucateco: El arte suhuy de Juan Cob, h-men de Yaxcabá / Tradition, improvisation and modernity in Yucatecan Mayan shamanism: The suhuy art of Juan Cob, h-men of Yaxcabá

RESUMEN A través de la historia de un chamán maya yucateco (h-men), este artículo analiza los cambios y las continuidades en el chamanismo yucateco y, más específicamente, en una de sus funciones principales: tsak, "curar". Los resultados presentados aquí son parte de un trabajo de campo de 40 años, de 1976 a 2016. El autor vive en una comunidad del centro de Yucatán (Tabi, Sotuta) y ha realizado varias investigaciones sobre el chamanismo yucateco en comunidades de los estados de Yucatán, Campeche y Quintana Roo. Juan Cob, h-men de Yaxcabá, no es solo un informante sino también vecino, amigo del autor con el cual realizó varias películas

ABSTRACT Through the history of a Yucatecan Mayan shaman (h-men), this article analyzes the changes and continuities in Yucatecan shamanism and, more specifically, in one of its main functions: tsak, healing. The results presented here are part of fieldwork carried out over 40 years, from 1976 to 2016. The author lives in a community in central Yucatán (Tabi, Sotuta) and has carried out a number of research studies on Yucatecan shamanism in communities in the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo. Juan Cob, h-men of Yaxcabá, is not only an informant but also the author's friend and neighbor, with whom he has created a number of films

Salvia divinorum: enigma psicofarmacológico y resquicio mente-cuerpo / Salvia divinorum: psychopharmacologicai enigma and the mind-body interstice

En el presente trabajo se considera la investigación multidisciplinaria sobre Salvia divinorum y sus principios químicos activos con el objeto de valorar si la etnobotánica, la fitoquímica, la psicofarmacología y la neurofarmacología de esta planta psicoactiva y su principal producto químico, la salvinorina A, clarifican sus efectos mentales y sus usos adivinatorios. Esta labor científica ha trascurrido desde el registro inicial de ceremonias y creencias, ha continuado con la identificación botánica, el aislamiento de los principios químicos, la caracterización de los efectos mentales y cerebrales, las posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas y ha llegado a incurrir en el problema mente-cuerpo. Dado que el punto de partida de esta investigación es la transdisciplina de la etnofarmacología, se retoman aquí las creencias tradicionales, los usos rituales y los efectos mentales de esta menta sagrada de los indios mazatecos tal y como fueron registrados durante un proyecto de campo y laboratorio llevado a cabo entre 1973 y 1983. Un brebaje acuoso de hojas maceradas produjo un breve periodo de ligereza cefálica, disforia, sensaciones táctiles y propioceptivas exacerbadas, un sentido de despersonalización, percepción amplificada de sonidos y un aumento de la imaginación visual y auditiva, pero no verdaderas alucinaciones. Posteriormente otros autores describieron efectos similares usando cuestionarios y eventualmente fueron imputados al diterpeno salvinorina-A, pero no es posible explicar los efectos mentales sólo por la potente actividad agonista del receptor kappa a los opioides encontrada para la salvinorina; de allí el enigma psicofarmacológico. Se proponen algunos requerimientos para una clasificación de drogas que alteran cualitativamente el estado de conciencia e incluyen la activación de redes neuronales que necesariamente comprenden diversos sistemas neuroquímicos y módulos nerviosos. Para caracterizar estas redes será necesario emprender un tipo de investigación top-down, es decir el análisis de imágenes cerebrales obtenidas durante la experiencia psicoactiva analizada mediante un método narrativo, lo cual eventualmente podría permitir la exploración de efectos étnicos diferenciales. Como sucede con otras preparaciones que alteran la conciencia, una investigación rigurosa de la psicofarmacología de esta planta y su principio psicoactivo será relevante a empresas académicas tan diversas como el problema mente-cuerpo, la mejor comprensión del éxtasis chamánico y la posible generación de fármacos analgésicos, antidepresivos y moderadores de la drogadicción.

In the present paper, the multidisciplinary research on Salvia divinorum and its chemical principles is analyzed regarding whether the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, psychopharmacology, and neuropharmacology of this sacred psychoactive plant and main principle clarify its experienced effects and divinatory uses. The scientific endeavor traverses from the recorded traditional ceremonies and beliefs, continues with the botanical identification, the isolation of active molecules, the characterization of mental and neural effects, the possible therapeutic applications, and impinges upon the mind-body problem. The departure point of this search is ethnopharmacology, and therefore the traditional beliefs, ritual uses, and mental effects of this Mazatec sacred mint recorded during a 1973-1983 field research project are described. A water potion of crushed leaves produced short-lasting light-headedness, dysphoria, tactile and proprioceptive sensations, a sense of depersonalization, amplified sound perception, and increased visual and auditory imagery, but no actual hallucinations. Similar effects were described using questionnaires and are attributable to the diteprene salvinorin A, but cannot be explained solely by its specific and potent brain kappa-opioid receptor agonist activity. Some requirements for a feasible classification and mechanism of action of consciousness-altering products are proposed and include the activation of neural networks comprising several neurochemical systems. Top-down analyses should be undertaken in order to characterize such neural networks and eventually allowing to explore the differential ethnic effects. As is the case for other consciousness-altering preparations, a careful and encompassing research on this plant and principle can be consequential to academic undertakings ranging from the mind-body problem and a better understanding of shamanic ecstasy, to the potential generation of analgesic, antidepressant, and drug-abuse attenuating products.

Koreans' Traditional View on Death / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

Koreans' traditional view on death has been much influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and shamanism since ancient times. Confucianism emphasizes the importance of the real life in this world and highly praises doing good deeds for the family and the community. It also praises people who are enlightened by education and self-discipline. Confucian scholars admit that death cannot be understood by rational thinking although it is unavoidable as a cosmic order. Taoism sees life as the same entity as death; Both are two different aspects of the same cosmos or the wholeness. However, the disciples of Taoism became much interested in a long life and well being that may be achieved by harmonizing with the cosmic order. Buddhism thinks that death and life are an "illusion". It says that people can be enlightened by recognizing the fact that "Nothing is born and nothing is dying in this world. Everything is the product of your mind occupied with false belief." However, secular Buddhists believe in the afterlife and metempsychosis of the soul. This belief is sometimes connected with the view of the traditional shamanism. Shamanism dichotomizes the world between "this world" and "that world". After death, the person's soul travels to "that world", where it may influence life of people who reside in "this world". And shamans who are spiritual beings living in "this world" mediate souls and living people. In conclusion, there are various views and beliefs regarding death, which are influenced by a number of religions and philosophies. They should be seriously considered when making a medical decision regarding the end of patients' life.

The Origin of Jingmai : Through the Investigation into Some Important Hypotheses / 의사학

In this paper, I tried to investigate the origin of Jingmai through examination of some important hypotheses brought up by modern scholars and introduce new hypothesis. Hypotheses about the origin of Jingmai that have been investigated in this paper are as follows. 1) Hypothesis by Joseph Needham and Kano Yoshimitsu that Jingmai is originated from hydraulic engineering or twelve rivers. 2) Hypothesis by some chinese scholars like Zhou yimou that Jingmai is originated from subjective experience of the Neishi daoist experience. 3) Hypothesis by Yamada Keiji that Jingmai is originated from moxibustion supported by shamanism. 4) Hypothesis by Li jianmin that Jingmai is originated from Daoyinshu one of the body-cultivation techniques. Hypothesis 1) has the problem of the fallacy of circular argument. I can drag the opposite resolution from the same basis used by Kano Yoshimitsu. There is the problem of misreading in the hypothesis 2). The words quoted by Zhou yimou are not related to the twelve Jingmai but Qijingbamai. Yamada Keiji and Li jianmin presuppose that at first Mai was just blood vessel. Then they follow each way as mentioned above. I agree their opinion that at the beginning Mai was just blood vessel. But I think that Mai was affected by the schema of shamanism. Mai as the vessel that not only blood but Qi go through is conceived by the schema of shamanism, I think.

Os primeiros curadores da humanidade: abordagens psicológicas e psiquiátricas sobre os xamãs e o xamanismo / Humanitys first healers: psychological and psychiatric stances on shamans and shamanism

CONTEXTO: o autor descreve os xamãs como curadores que deliberadamente modificam seu padrão fenomenológico de atenção, percepção, cognição e consciência para obter informações não disponíveis ordinariamente aos membros do grupo social que lhes concedeu status privilegiado. OBJETIVOS: descrever como estas alterações fenomenológicas foram alcançadas e utilizadas. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados estudos da literatura xamânica em arquivo e pesquisas de campo em comunidades onde xamãs estão atuando ativamente. RESULTADOS: a fonte das informações obtidas pelos xamãs é atribuída a forças e entidades desencarnadas, como espíritos, ancestrais, guias animais e campos energéticos. Essas fontes foram contatadas através de toques ritualizados de tambores, danças, sonhos lúcidos, uso de plantas psicotrópicas, atenção focalizada e outros recursos. Este estudo foi importante, pois mostrou que os xamãs utilizam as informações obtidas para atender às necessidades sociais, psicológicas e médicas de suas comunidades. CONCLUSÕES: o disseminado aparecimento dos xamãs, especialmente em tribos caçadoras e coletoras, indica que suas presenças possuem funções adaptativas em um grupo social. Além disso, estes dados podem trazer importantes contribuições para a neurociência cognitiva, psicologia social, psicoterapia e psicologia ecológica.

BACKGROUND: the author describes shamans as practitioners who deliberately shift their phenomenological pattern of attention, perception, cognition, and awareness in order to obtain information not ordinarily available to members of the social group that granted them privileged status. OBJECTIVES: to describe how these phenomenological shifts were accomplished and used. METHODS: archival studies of shamanic literature as well as field research in communities where shamans are actively functioning. RESULTS: the source of shaman-derived information is attributed to such discarnate entities and forces as spirits, ancestors, animal guides, and energetic fields. These agencies were contacted through ritualized drumming, dancing, lucid dreaming, the use of psychotropic plants, focused attention, and other technologies. This study was important because it determined that shamans utilize the obtained information to attend to their communitys social, psychological, and medical needs. CONCLUSIONS: the ubiquitous appearance of shamans, especially in hunting and gathering tribes, indicates that their presence in a social group served adaptive functions. Further, these data can make important contributions to cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, psychotherapy, and ecological psychology.

A Study on Shamanism from a standpoint of Nursing / 간호학회지

The purpose of this study is to construct the nursing-policy and nursing-theory of Korean style by understanding the type of recognition and attitude immanent in Korean people through of Korean people to the Shamanism. And this paper is using Q methodology by operant definition. Because individual recognition and attitude to Shammanism is very subjective and individualistic and many-sided. Q statements in this paper are ultimately 38 statements divided into 5 regions, which are abstracted from 285 Q samples. 38 persons in all are objects of P-population. The results of analyses on the characters of each type are as follows. The men who belong to type I is positive to the Shamanism in recognition and attitude at the same time. The men who belong to type II are negative the analysis of the recognition and attitude to Shamanism in recognition, but positive to Shamanism in practical attitude. The men who belong to type III are evidently negative to Shamanism in recognition and attitude at the same time. The men who belong to type IV are positive to Shamanism, but negative or reservative to it in attitude. In conclusion, we could affirm that shamanic care-act which modern medicine discard as only superstition is very deeply rooted in the Korean people'need. In short, Korean people is already and always related to Shamnism, whether positively or negatively. I dare to think this paper might contribute the other disciplines of sciences as basic data.

A Survey on Perception and Attitude of Patients and their Families to the Korean Shamanism / 기본간호학회지

This survey was done to construct a nursing theory according to Korean culture and to identify the Korean traditional view. From ancient time until now, shamanism has played an important role as determinant of Korean culture and of the personality formation of Korean people. The subjects are 321 patients and member of their families who were over 18 years old, and who are living in five large cities and two rural communities on Korea. Data collection was done from March, 8th to April, 29th in 1999. The tool developed by the investigator through literature review was used to measure the perception and the attitude of patients and their families to Korean shamanism. Collected data were analyzed by frequency, percent and test with SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows : 1) While 35% of respondents answered that the destiny or fate was only relied on the abilities and endeavor of individual, 65% of respondents were fatalists or eclectic are compromised between the fate and endeavor. 2) While half of the respondents belief in divination to some degree, the rest of them reported hardly any belief in divination. 3) There were almost twice as many respondents who directly consulted fortunetellers were as respondents who did not consult fortunetellers. 4) The reasons for consulting fortunetellers were job problems, home problems, health problems by in that order. 5) The respondents almost always interpreted the cause of physical disease and mental disease as being psycho-sociological, but 1% of them explained mental disease as a shamanistic manifestation. 6) In case of disease, the reasons for consulting a fortuneteller was a) no hope of recovery from the sickness in any other way, b) the chronic disease in that order. 7) Of the respondents, 65% answered that disease could not be cured by a 'Gut'(the performance done by the shaman), but 27% of respondents thought that disease could be cured by a 'Gut' in the case of mental disease. 8) Sixty six percent of the respondents answered that they have experienced praying for their wishes with clean water. 9) While 54% of the respondents answered that they have seen or heard the 'Beung Gut'(the performance to pray for recovery of sickness done by the shaman), 46% responded that they have they have never seen or heard it. 10) To the question, "do you intend to have a 'Beung Gut'", 51.7% of respondents answer "no" stongly, but 48% of them say "yes" or took a compromising attitude. 11) Generally the respondents differed in perception and attitude to shamanism. In short, females more than males, old aged more than younger aged, lower educated more than higher educated, believers in Buddhism more than believers in any other religion, and blue color more than white color have more positive attitudes to shamanism. Also men living in rural communities have more positive attitude to shamanism than men living in the large cities. Consequently, Shamanism can be understood as an anxiety relieving cultural system even though Shamanism itself looks like a cultural complex.