Gangneung Danoje Festival begins from today! This festival is held on every 5th Apr. by the lunar calendar. Gangneung Danoje Festival is designated as a "Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO and "Important Intangible Cultural Property No.13" in Korea. Originally it was established as a day to share the food to stay healthy during summer. Also people played ritual performance wish to have a abundant harvest. During this festival various programs will operate such as riding traditional swings, Korean wrestling, washing your hair in water infused with irises, eatting rice cakes, and mask painting. Now let’s see in detail about Danoje festival programs.
| Sinjubitgi(Brewing the sacred liquor) |
The first program of Danoje Festival begins is Sinjubitgi(brewing liquor for god). This year(2013) Sinjubitgi program is held today(May 14th) at 10:00~12:00 in Chilsadang where ancient government office of Gangneung was located.
The reason why they
brew the liquor on this event is liquor is used to for the ritual performance to wish good harvest and stay healthy during summer praying to god. That’s why ingredients(rice, malted rice and etc.) should be prepared best quility for brewing. Visitors can see shaman ceremonies for ‘Sinjubitgi’ event.
(Picture : Gangneung Danoje Festival official website, Korea Tourism Organization)
| Gangneung Dano Gut(Shanmanic ritual) : 12th ~ 15th June |
The shamanic rituals called ‘Gut’ is include dance, music, song, and ritual stories. Danogut is carried out by female shamans who is most well-know shaman in Gangneung with large number of musicians. Shaman prays for the health and happiness for all the people who attend the festival. Various deities(god) are worshiped in the Gangneung Danoje Festival, but the main ones are the royal tutor male and female tutelary deities.
(Photo : Gangneung Danoje Festival official website, Korea Tourism Organization)
| Gwanno Mask Drama : 9th ~ 16th June |
Gwanno Mask Drama is performance without the spoken word but use dance, music and body motions instead. The dance shows how the lower class people called ‘Nobi’ enjoyed playing with masks. The drama ends on a happy note when the ‘Nobi’ appear to interfere with the love affairs of the nobility. Since this is a nonverbal drama, is highly recommended for international visitors.
(Photo : Gangneung Danoje Festival official website, Korea Tourism Organization)
| Other Programs |
Experience event is include cultural event, folk game event, participation event and performances. Do and experience! Be a Korean once!
(Photo : Gangneung Danoje Festival official website, Korea Tourism Organization)
Comments