Baekjung (百中)

"Baekjung" (百中), which means "Buddhist All Soul’s Day," falls on the Full Moon Day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It is written in Chinese characters as "百衆," "百種," or "百中." "Baekjung" is also called "Manghonil (亡魂日)," "Jungwon (中元)," "Meoseumnal," or "Meoseummyeongi." The etymological origin of "Baekjung" derives from a Buddhist ceremony called "Ullambana" (盂蘭盆齋) in which food offerings, such as 100 varieties of fruit or 100 varieties of seed, were given to the monastic community.

서산과 예천의 호미씻이

Washing Hoes in Seosan City, Chungcheongnam-do		Washing Hoes in Yecheon County, Gyeongsangbuk-do

All farming households shared the joy of finishing the seasonal weeding by sharing food, and to promote friendship farmers washed their hoes together. According to an ancient record of annual events titled Yeolyang Sesigi ( (洌陽歲時記), "Baekjung" (百中) seems to refer to "Baekgwa" (百果 , 100 varieties of fruit), but its common origin derives from the fact that farmers' heels would turn white after washing their hoes, hence "Baekjong" (白踵), and the fact that they had 100 varieties of seeds, hence "Baekjong" (百種).

밀양백중놀이

Mirayng Baekjungnori

Of the traditional events held on "Baekjung," "Baekjungnori" in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do is perhaps the most famous. The "Miryang Baekjungnori" was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 68 in 1980. In Miryang the local farmers refer to "Baekjung" as "Meoseumnal Kkombaegi Chamnoreum" and erect farming deity poles, while the villagers participate in ancestral rituals, called "Jakdumaltagi," and various dances including "Yangbanchum," "Byeongsinchum," "Beumbuchum," and "Obukchum" among others.

고양 송포 호미걸이

Goyang Songpo Homigeori
Gimmaegi Weeding	Washing Hoes
Daejeophagi	Daedongnori

In addition, the "Pungnongje" (豊農祭) ritual and "Songpo Homigeori," which are still performed to this day in Goyang in Gyeonggi-do, are famous. After completing the "Gimmaegi," or weeding, the farmers perform the "Dangje" (堂祭) ritual and engage in the recreational "Pannoreum." They also wash their hoes together and hang them up on the day of "Baekjung," so the event is called "Homigeori."