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How did shamanic songs influence the development of pansori?

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See and hear a man play a Korean buk — pansori Learn about the Korean *buk* (double-headed barrel drum) by watching and listening to a man play the type of *buk* that accompanies *pansori* narrative singing.

Scholars widely consider muga (shamanic songs) to be a foundational influence on the development of pansori. This connection is primarily supported by notable melodic similarities between pansori and the traditional shamanic music found in western South Korea, particularly within the Jeolla region.2

Beyond these melodic roots, it is believed that pansori may have emerged from ancient shamanistic rituals performed to entertain the gods before the genre transitioned into a popular form of public entertainment. While muga provided a significant musical basis, the development of pansori was also shaped by broader traditions of non-ritual public performance known as pannoreum. These traditions integrated various elements—including song, narrative, dance, and dramatic gesture—that helped define the multi-faceted nature of the pansori performance style.12