Jeju-based shamanism researcher documents connection between humans, crows

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sun, October 1, 2023 | 00:45

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Jeju-based shamanism researcher documents connection between humans, crows

Posted : 2023-05-28 14:43

Updated : 2023-05-29 16:01

A shaman altar on Jeju Island is strewn with food and alcohol offerings. / Courtesy of Joey Rositano

By Hallie Bradley

Continuing his exploration of Jeju's unique cultural practices, Joey Rositano now presents his latest project, "Scattering," planned to be a photography book centered around the crow feeding rituals on Jeju Island.

Rositano, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, has been living and working on Jeju Island since 2006. Fascinated by the island's shamanic shrines and their worship, Rositano embarked on a journey to explore and document this polytheistic religion, which remains largely unknown even to the local city dwellers of Jeju.

This time, drawing on his background in anthropology, Rositano has created a fascinating 150-page "research art" photo book, providing captivating insights into the practice of scattering.

"On Jeju Island, in Jeju language there is the term 'keurigi' which literally means the act of scattering. This is a small act, but its full meaning is much bigger," Rositano told The Korea Times. "In the context of shamanism it means to scatter small pieces of food, what many mainlanders call 'gosirae,' for the birds to carry off to the ancestors. There are many regional variations, but on Jeju Island crows are the main birds that carry off these pinched-off pieces of shamanic offerings. It's important to know that islanders perform this action often, at their homes, at Buddhist temples, in their yards, fields and even in the ocean."

Various foods are left for crows to carry away as part of a shamanistic ritual on Jeju Island. / Courtesy of Joey Rositano

Rositano spent five years documenting the bond between the people of the village of Darakut and the large-billed crows, shedding light on the ritualistic bird-feeding practices. This phenomenon holds potential implications for understanding ancient relationships and the ways in which humans and crows perceive each other. The remarkable ability of crows to recognize faces further adds to the enigma surrounding their participation in the ritual crow feeding.

"Scattering" is a unique photo book that blends art and research. While capturing stunning visuals, Rositano provides a scientific approach to understanding the crow-feeding rituals in Darakut. Through interviews with local residents, extensive research on corvid behavior and his own observations, he uncovers the factors influencing the crows' ability to recognize the days of the shamanic ceremonies and join the feast.

Jeju islanders conduct a shamanistic ritual. / Courtesy of Joey Rositano

Rositano explained that it will be "a standard photobook in some ways but it will also include a section digging into the science side of what I observed. There will be lots of maps and ephemera that will appeal to the nerds!" The work includes enough science perspectives that Rositano will be showcasing the work at the Natural Science and Cultural Museum on Jeju Island next year as well.

Through interviews with local residents, Rositano reveals their deep awareness of the crows' consistent visits and their significant role in the offerings. The act of leaving a portion of food for animals, particularly crows, is an integral part of religious rituals on Jeju Island. The villagers' lifelong interactions with crows have provided them with extensive knowledge of crow behavior, and "Scattering" showcases their unique insights and observations as well.

A crow flies over a tree on Jeju Island. / Courtesy of Joey Rositano

Rositano's interest in Jeju shamanism originated during his time as an English teacher there. His encounters with the island's shamanic mythology and conversations with locals sparked his curiosity, leading him to delve deeper into researching and documenting these rich traditions. Rositano's passion for sharing this information stems from the unique cultural heritage of Jeju Island, which offers insights into practices once present in many Eurasian cultures.

Overall, his work offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of Jeju Island's shamanic traditions, focusing on the crow feeding rituals and their profound cultural and scientific implications.

A Kickstarter campaign has been set up to fund the publication of "Scattering ― A Photobook on Shamanism and Crows in South Korea."

Visit pagansweare.com to find out more about Rositano's previous works, future works and more.

Hallie Bradley is a writer based in Seoul and runs the popular site thesoulofseoul.net.

jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr