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Jeongwol Daeboreum

Flag Ritual of Geumcheon-ri

A gitgosa is a ritual during which sacrifices are made to nonggi, the farming flag.

장현리 볏가릿대 세우는 모습

Jeongwol Daeboreum

Grain Pole of Janghyeon-ri

The old farming community custom of erecting a grain pole, known as “byeotgaritdae,” is still practiced today in the Dangjin and Seosan areas of Chungcheongnam-do.

Samwol-samjinnal (March 3rd )

Mountain Feeding Ritual of Gangwon-do

Gangwon-do is famously known for its rugged mountains. Although there are many different theories about the origin of the name “sanmegi,” the general consensus is that it derives from “sanmeogi,” which means ‘feeding mountains.’

청천리 은진송씨 절사 지내는 모습

Holiday Memorial Ceremony of the Song Clan of Eunjin in Cheongcheon-ri

Cheongcheon-ri, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk is best known as the village where the grave of Uam Song Si-yeol is situated. Song Si-yeol was a prominent scholar-official of late Joseon and the leader of the Noron party.

Byeolsin Festival of Chogok-ri

Every year in May, residents of rural communities across Korea hang a ritualistic straw rope outside their village shrine. This signals the start of byeolsinje, one of the oldest village festivals in the country.

Chilseok (July 7th)

Village Guardian Rite of Donggye-ri

According to a local legend, a phoenix used to stop over in this small village at the foot of Bongdusan. In Donggye-ri, its residents observe an old custom passed down from generations before them.

Baekjung (July 15th )

Uran Festival of Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa is a historic Buddhist temple located at the heart of Seoul, in its downtown section.

연동리 고산 종택에서 차례 지내는 모습

Charye Ceremony in the Household of Gosan’s Lineage Heir in Yeondong-ri

Yeondong-ri is a village in Haenam-eup, Jeollanam-do, which welcomes its visitors with an endless stretch of fragrant tea fields.

유곡리 안동권씨 종가에서 차례 지내는 모습

Charye Ceremony in the Kwon Household of Yugok-ri

Yugok-ri is a historic village in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do, also known as "Daksil." The village earned this nickname due to its shape reminiscent of a hen hatching its eggs.

Ipdong (Beginning of the Winter)

Meju Making in Angye-ri

Ipdong marks the end of autumn and heralds the beginning of winter. For women of rural Korea, Ipdong signals the start of preparation for the long and rigorous winter ahead.

Bereavement of a Parent

Chobun (Straw Grave)

As he starts to claw through the straw, his hand soon comes upon the defleshed skeleton of the mother. The son last saw his mother three years ago on her death bed.

Pride in Tradition

Bulcheonwi Memorial Ceremony for Chungjae

Daksil Village in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk, has long been renowned for its propitious geomantic conditions. Its shape reminiscent of a hen hatching its eggs has been considered extremely auspicious.

Scent of a Seonbi

Dodong-seowon Confucian Academy

From atop Daramjae, a pass linking Hyeonpung to Dodong-ri, a sweeping view of the Nakdonggang River valley can be gained.

Two Sacred Days and Nights

Seonghwangje Festival of Sunheung

Some of the customers busily checking out animals in the cattle market in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do are from Sunheung-myeon. They are looking for a male calf to sacrifice to the village guardian god during the upcoming festival. Ideally, the calf should be in solid coat colors.

Harmony with Nature

Mountain Spirits’ Rite

The sancheonje festival being just around the corner, the village chief of Duma-ri, Hongcheon, Gangwon-do is out at the market, accompanied by several residents of his village.

Small Island, Big Hope

Fishing Rite of Oeyeondo Island

Oeyeondo is a solitary island situated far offshore in the West Sea of Korea. Its name literally means a 'far island veiled in smoke,' which describes the dim, distant view of this island from the mainland.

A Festival for Humans and Gods

The shaman is on fire and holds the crowd mesmerized. People are now bursting into laughter, now shedding tears. People are so aroused that they start standing up and dancing along with the shaman. Indeed, this rite looks deceptively like a festival.

부치마을 백중 우물제 지내는 모습

Water Wedding Ceremony

Baekjung-day Well Rite of Buchi Village

On Baekjung day when the summer heat reaches its peak, people of Buchi Village in Naju, Jeonnam are up early and are busily cleaning the area around the village well. After removing weeds growing around the well, they are now draining the well using a motorized pump.

A Day of Celebration for Totem Poles and Humans

Totem Pole Rite of Yongdu-ri

During the 1930’s, when Korea was ruled by Japan, a Japanese official of Yongdu-ri, Chungnam launched a war against jangseung, the totem poles, saying that he would thus eradicate superstition.

Sacrificing to the Gods of Mountains, Heaven and Water

Village Festival of Busan-ri

The pig runs around frantically from one corner of the yard to another, but soon gets caught by villagers.

문화체육관광부 국립민속박물관

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