Kim Keum-hwa (1931-2019) was a master shaman born in Jangyon, South Hwanghae Province, in what is now North Korea — a region once known for its rich shamanic traditions. Affected by "sinbyeong" (spirit sickness) as a child, she was taken to a local shaman where she soon began her apprenticeship as a "gangsinmu" (a "spirit-conjuring" shaman). Kim performed her first complete ritual at the age of 15, and by 20, she was renowned in her local area. She was forced to move south during the 1950-53 Korean War, though she did not stop her shaman practice during the tumultuous time. As a high-level "mansin" ("10,000 spirits"), her central shamanic god was General Cho, whom she regarded as her guardian spirit. In her ritual practice, Kim also invoked figures such as the Dragon King; the spirit of the big dipper; and the mountain spirit Sansin; as well as numerous other spirits and deities. Kim described herself as “a vessel for the gods.” Beginning in the early 1980s, Kim took part in festivals, conferences and events in 25 countries around the globe, bringing the practice of Korea’s sha