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Ganggangsullae



Ganggangsullae is a popular seasonal harvest and fertility ritual held annually in the southwestern part of the Republic of Korea, primarily on Thanksgiving day in the eighth lunar month. Under a bright full moon, around thirty young, unmarried village women form a circle, join hands and sing and dance all night. Lead singers direct the group. It is named after a refrain repeated after each verse, but the exact meaning of this term is unknown. It was originally performed by unmarried young ladies between 15 and 20, and sometimes included recently married young ladies. When it was declared a state cultural treasure, women in their 40s or 50s performed it. Since then, Ganggangsullae has been practiced and passed down by middle-aged women from the community. They display proficient skills, rather than the creative vividness and dynamics of adolescents as they deliver the piece.

Ganggangsullae is a style of dance that is unique to Korea. The songs are composed of ordinary people and are led by a lead singer. Followers followed the lead by singing the next lines in the song. Besides folklore and folk dance, traditional Korean music is also incorporated into the performance as traditional Korean music instruments are played throughout the performance. A drum and an hour-glass-shaped drum accompany the dance. Ganggangsullae is such an exciting and dynamic performance that the participants usually end up losing themselves and moving from the early evening when the moon rises until the moon sets. The music is categorized into three categories based on the speed of the singing: Gin (slow), Jung (middle), and jajeun (quick). Depending on the music, the pace varies. During interludes, games reflecting on life on a farm or fishing village are played. Some of these activities include imitating the Korean terrapin (in which one person dances, and the next person then takes over and imitates her), gathering brackens, tying herrings, treading on roof tiles, rolling and unrolling straw mats, catching mice (picking the tail), playing gatekeepers, riding palanquins, and looking for handkerchiefs.

This practice was formerly a rare exception to the restrictive rules that were governing the behavior of rural young women. These young women were not allowed to sing aloud or go outside at night, except on Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving. But today it is mostly practiced by middle-aged women in cities, and it is part of the music curriculum in elementary schools throughout Korea. The performance now takes place throughout Korea, making it a representative form of Korean folk art. An important tradition deriving from the rice culture that sustained daily life in the countryside, these easy tunes, and dance movements may be learned quickly for this communal activity that promotes harmony, equality, and friendship among the women.

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