An Implication of Cannibalism Motif in “the Myth of Seolmundae-halmang” of Korea

Authors : Hongyoun CHO

Pages : 168-180

View : 80 | Download : 26

Publication Date : 2023-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :\`Cannibalism\` is widely regarded as an absolute taboo for cultivated humanity. Not only does the bare citation of the word\` cannibalism\` and encountering images about this subject make utmost people extremely uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the “ cannibal motif ” exists in humanities folk literature, and why is it being repeated in modern literature, media, and culture? If humanity can achieve a sense of spiritual satisfaction or there\`s a universal idea that desperately wishes to partake through such a horrifying motif, what kind of content can it be? When trying to address this curiosity, there\`s an interesting text which is worth noting. It\`s “ the myth of Seolmundae- halmanginsert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Grandma Seolmundae); ”, which is being passed down on South Korea\`s Jeju Island. Seolmundae- halmang was worshipped as the creator goddess of Jeju Island, yet in the stories about her death, she\`s eaten by her own sons. Why did this goddess have to experience such a terrible death? Also, if “ myth ” contains motifs of universal human life, what was the content that Jeju Island\`s mythology group wanted to share through the death and devouring of the goddess? To find answers to these questions, several former studies on the conception of cannibalism were examined, thereby the aspects of cannibalism that was in human life was verified. As a result, the cannibalistic motif of this myth confirmed that the endo-cannibalism concept of the primordial mythology enthusiasts group was the result of the divine succession process from Seolmundae-halmang to her sons. Furthermore, when interpreted in the context of symbolism for human reality, it is also revealed that children who have grown up at the expense of their parents have embodied the universal and realworld principle of human life in which they realized their parent\`s sacrifices and inherited their lives. The significance of such research results can be recognized for investigating the mythological meaning and value of cannibalistic elements of the Seolmundae-halmang myth. This allowed us to reveal the meaning and value of one of Korea\`s major mythological materials more fully, as well as confirm the universal value of Korea\`s mythological materials.
Keywords : Kore mitolojisi, Seolmundae halmang, Yamyamlık motifi, Yamyamlığın Sembolü, tabu

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