강신무굿판의 공수의 의미와 기능

Abstract

This article is a review of the pattern and meaning of Gongsu (a term of shamanistic ritual, meaning the oracle) in Gangsinmugutpak (shamanistic ritual), which has not been studied to date. Aimed at various cases of Seoul shamanistic ritual, the article looked into the value of Gongsu by identifying the organization, function, and meaning of Gongsu. First, Gongsu was classified into ‘pfficial Gongsu’ which appears in common with all shamanistic rituals and ‘individual Gongsu’ which becomes different according to the situation in individual shamanistic ritual. Whereas, official Gongsu keeps the fixity of shamanistic ritual maintained, and keeps the flow of a shamanistic ritual consistent, individual Gongs is to achieve the original goal of a shamanistic ritual by considering the situation of an individual shamanistic ritual. If official Gongsu has a fixed system, individual Gongsu may be of a non-fixed system. Individual Gongsu allows the language of shamanistic ritual to show liquidity as oral literature. Meanwhile, official Gongsu facilitates the succession of shamanistic songs, and official Gongsu plays a key role in the succession and progression of shamanistic songs. A shaman proceeds to Gongsu through various manners of speaking. They are making one feel assured, speaking on behalf of others, and consoling and comforting. Gongsu is an important means in achieving the original goal of a shamanistic ritual. With a range from a shamanist costume to shamanistic tools, diverse elements belong to shamanistic ritual; however, the genuine goal of a shamanistic ritual is always achieved through language, and the representative example of such language is Gongsu. The status of a shaman who may be an arbitrator between god and humans is revealed in Gongsu, intact. The character of a shaman, which was confirmed by a storytelling literature that has been inherited in shamanistic ritual is reflected also in Gongsu without modification.