Youngsub Lee

Sinawi is a traditional Korean shamanic ensemble music characterized by collective, improvised heterophony over recurring cyclical rhythms (jangdan). Originating in late Joseon–era ritual contexts, it accompanies gut (shamanic rites) and dance, moving from slow, meditative sections to ecstatic, fast passages. Typical ensembles combine melodic instruments such as daegeum (bamboo transverse flute), piri (double-reed), haegeum (two-string fiddle), and gayageum/geomungo (zithers) with percussion like janggu (hourglass drum) and buk (barrel drum). Melodies draw on Korean modal systems (jo), especially gyemyeon-jo and ujo, with rich ornamentation, flexible intonation, and interlocking variations among players. Sinawi’s hallmark is spontaneous, conversational interplay: each performer elaborates the core tune while listening and responding to others, creating a living tapestry that can shift from solemn trance to vigorous release.