Andrea Kalff (born c. 1974[1]) is a German mudang (practitioner of Korean shamanism).[2]

Biography

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Kalff previously worked as a travel agent.[1] Her husband worked as a carpenter.[3]

In June 2006, Kalff attended a Mongolian cultural event in Austria.[1][2] While there, she was approached by a man who asked her to speak with his master, the Korean shaman Kim Geum-hwa (Korean김금화). Kalff eventually went to go meet Kim. During the meeting, Kim advised Kalff to go to the hospital.[2] Weeks later, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer;[2] it was treated with a simple surgery.[1] A few weeks after her treatment, she contacted Kim, and agreed to become Kim's apprentice. She went to Korea and stayed there for three weeks, upon which she was initiated as a shaman.[2] Kalff was reportedly previously a Catholic, and left the faith in order to become a mudang.[1][4]

Kalff reportedly became a media celebrity in South Korea soon after her arrival. She was featured in news articles and television programs, and was described as the "first non-Korean mudang". She featured in a number of documentary films, including Andrea's Sky (Le Ciel D'andrea), Rebirth, The Silk Flower, and Manshin: Ten Thousand Spirits.[2]

Kalff has since met clients in Germany, Italy, and Hawaii.[2][5] Kalff reportedly does not speak Korean, and thus does not perform the Korean shamanic music musok eumak.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e 고, 형규 (September 21, 2016). "<인터뷰> 한국서 내림굿 받은 獨무녀 "힘들지만 후회 없어"". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Sarfati, Liora (2023). "The Cosmopolitan Vernacular: Korean Shamans (Mudang) in the Global Spirituality Market". Religions. 14 (2): 189. doi:10.3390/rel14020189. ISSN 2077-1444.
  3. ^ 박, 희제 (2006-12-18). "'외국인 제자'를 위한 내림굿…김금화씨 독일여성 위해 굿판". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  4. ^ "'巫病' 앓다 내림굿 받은 서양여성". 서울경제 (in Korean). 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  5. ^ 유, 선희 (2013-10-16). "무당은 누구인가…김금화 '다큐 영화'가 답한다". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
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