The first full moon on the lunar calendar is called Jeongwol Daeboreum, and it’s coming up. Before it arrives, island villages hold special rites to wish for a healthy, safe, and abundant year for their residents. Kim Min-hoe reports.




Report

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Hwabuk-dong, Jeju City

The villagers of (화북)Hwabuk-dong in Jeju City pray for a safe and abundant year of fishing at the (해신사) Haesinsa Shrine in Hwabuk-dong, Jeju City.

Foods prepared especially for the event are set on an altar, and people bow deeply in a ritual for the sea god.

INTERVIEW
Kim Jin-pyeong / President, Hwabuk-dong senior citizens assn.
I prayed that residents of our community be healthy and safe.
<인터뷰 : 김진평/화북동 노인회장>
"화북1동 마을 주민들의 건강과 안녕을 빌었습니다."

For centuries, this ritual for the sea god was an important event because the Hwabuk Port used to be the main gate to the Korean Peninsula from Jeju Island.

Ahead of Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar calendar, village rituals are held in Jeju to wish for safety and peace in the new year.

INTERVIEW
Go Tae-jung / Chairman, Hwabuk 1-dong village council
The sea god ritual was originally for the safety of all fishermen, an abundant catch, and success in the new year. Over time it has been scaled back, and now it is focused on the wellbeing of our village.
<인터뷰 : 고태중/화북1동 마을회장>
"바다에 다니는 사람들 수입도 좋고 마을이 잘 살기 위해서 열었던 포제가 지금은 마을포제로 단일화해서 해신제를 지내고 있습니다."

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Village rituals at 160 sites as Jeongwol Daeboreum nears

The coming of the first full moon of the lunar calendar means village rituals are held all around the island.

Beginning with the sea god ritual in Hwabuk, islanders wish for safety and an abundant year at more than 160 sites.

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Napeup-ri and Songdang-ri Rituals: Intangible Cultural Assets

Last week alone, the districts of (애월읍) Aewol-eup, (납읍리) Napeup-ri and (송당리) Songdang-ri held such events.

The rituals at (납읍리) Napeup-ri and (송당리) Songdang-ri have been designated as Jeju Intangible Cultural Assets.

The ritual at (와흘리) Waheul-ri, Jocheon-eup is scheduled to be held on February 10th, and the event at (동복리) Dongbok-ri, Gujwa-eup, on the 13th.

Each community performs a unique ceremony for their own village god.

[Reporter] Kim Min-hoe
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

These annual rituals, a cherished cultural aspect of Jeju and its pantheon of gods, will continue through the middle of February.

Kim Min-hoe, KCTV