 A colorful scene from “cheolmurigut” or “jaesugut” that people in Hwanghae Province in North Korea would perform in the first month of every year. |
By Chung Ah-youngStaff Reporter
Traditionally, people in Hwanghae Province, now part of North Korea used to hold a shamanistic ritual at home to pray for a good harvest and peace and pay respect to their ancestors every first month of the year.
Called ``cheolmurigut'' or ``jaesugut'' usually performed in the region from Jan. 1 to 15, the ritual was thought of as a seasonal feast that all participants could join in.
Shaman Park Jung-wook will perform the regional shamanistic ritual on stage at Seoul Arts Center's Towol Theater, Jan 31 and Feb.1.
The ``cheolmuri gut'' consists of 18 or 24 parts of an entire rendition, which will be officiated at by the shaman, including the Pyeongsan ``sonoreum gut,'' or cattle worship rite, performed for good harvests, good luck and prosperity of the family and local community.
The shamanistic performances take place in an outdoor courtyard on good occasions when people have something to celebrate such as building a new house or buying a new land, and the birth of babies.
The shaman prays to heaven for the people and bestows good fortune and blessings to all of those who are present at the ritual on behalf of the gods and spirits.
``The ritual is regarded as the beginning of theater arts as it retains entertaining and artistic elements. The ceremony has a certain script, actors, lights, music and props, and also is divided into acts with various artistic formats,'' Mok Moon-young, a performance organizer, said.
The shaman entertains the god and communicates with it and expresses the entity of the god through theatrical gestures.
In Hwanghae Province, there are various kinds of gut depending on lifestyles of people. ``Daedong gut'' and ``Yeonsin gut'' praying for the safety and prosperity for fishermen performed with boating songs, are popular in Haeju, located along the west coast.
Meanwhile, various seasonal shamanistic ceremonies to welcome the new blossoms, new leaves, new grains and mountains are held in the agricultural and mountainous areas.
Like ``pungeoje,'' or a ritual praying for a big catch, various folk songs and traditional vulgar songs are used in the ceremonies of ``sonoreum gut,'' which serves as one of the biggest festivals in agricultural societies, in which cows are integral parts of the assets of the households.
Park is an important performer of the Pyeongsan ``sonoreum gut'' and was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 90 in 1988.
The ``sonoreum gut'' reflects the mentality and mythology of Korea's early agricultural society. The performance progresses from ritual to drama, and is renowned for both its artistry and entertainment value. It's also a rare folk performance originating in North Korea.
Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2232-5749.
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
