国家地理:Knife Dancing 韩国巫堂舞

（单词翻译）

In South Korea, a land where Buddhism¹ and Christianity reign², many still turn to the old folk beliefs of Shamanism, believe in a world inhabited by spirits. But to become a Korean Shaman, a believer must pass an initiation³, called the naerim kut, a rite⁴ so extreme that few would attempt it.

While some are born to their role as Shamans, others, like Jiyang, receive their calling through a mystic illness called shinbyeong. She may look healthy, but Jiyang has been tormented⁵ by spirits since childhood.

"Sometimes, I've been in so much pain that it left me almost completely paralyzed".

One day, she had a dream. She dreamed of a shaman, but didn't know who she was.

I saw a shaman all dressed up and participating in some activity. I felt I needed to find her.

The shaman in Jiyang's dream turned out to be real, her name was Kim kuwa, the acknowledged leader of northern style ecstatic shamanism. Kim kuwa agreed to take Jiyang into her home to prepare her for the initiation ceremony. If Jiyang fails this test, the spirit will not possess her and she will not be cured.

It's morning on the day chosen for Jiyang's naerim kut initiation. With the beating of the drum and the banging of the gongs, the naerim kut begins.

Jiyang puts on her first costume and prepares to summon the god. She enters into what's called an ecstatic trance. These shamans believe that in this trance, her mind becomes possessed⁶ and she speaks in the spirits' voices. Jiyang and the other shamans dance for hours, changing customs after every spirit possession. The time has come for Kim kuwa to call upon the Knife-Riding General, her guarding spirit. As an indication of the General's spirit within her, she licks the blades and presses them against her thighs⁷. She climbs up onto the double-edged shark-tooth knives and dances. No blood is shed while she addresses the audience in the spirit's voice, announcing his presence.

Finally, it is Jiyang's turn. Jiyang steps onto the knives and she begins to dance. Fortunately her feet do not bleed; Jiyang's passed the final test.

"I feel like I have the whole world in my hands."

But this is only the beginning, she will have to undergo years of training under the guidance of Kim kuwa. Hopefully, she will find greater peace and happiness, fulfilling her destiny as a shaman.