Shaman Kim Kum-Hua was born in 1931 in the Hwanghae Province – now part of North Korea – only to later settle in Seoul. In 1984, she received the title of ‘Living National Treasure’ in recognition of her work in preserving a number of rituals, such as the spectacular fishing-boat blessing. She received her initiation ceremony at the age of 17 after a mysterious illness showed her as being ‘chosen’. In 1974, she won National Prize for Popular Arts. This marked a turning point in Korean history because, at the time, shamanism was considered neither as a respectable profession nor as a legitimate art form. Yet Kim Kum-hwa’s deep spirituality, verve, divining powers and gracefully elegant movements are testament to a rare form of perfection.
