[Korea Route] Preserving Korean Traditional Charm... World Cultural Heritage 'Hahoe Maeul'

Joseon Dynasty Confucian Cultural Heritage Site Yangban Village, Andong, Gyeongbuk
Registered as a World-Class Cultural Heritage of Preservation Value

[World Heritage Festival Andong / Gyeongsangbuk-do]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The state visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to Korea in 1999 was recorded as a meaningful event that laid the foundation for a new Korea-UK cooperative relationship in the 21st century.

In particular, Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do, visited by the British Queen, is a Joseon Dynasty Confucian cultural heritage site where many cultural assets and traditional houses preserving Korean sentiment remain intact.

The '2021 World Heritage Festival Andong' is being held until the 26th at the World Heritage sites of Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, including Hahoe Village, Dosan Seowon, and Byeongsan Seowon, where the beauty, sentiment, and tradition of Korea breathe.

The representative traditional mask play of Hahoe Village, 'Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori,' enlivens the festival atmosphere, and at Dosan Seowon, the Dosan 12 Songs concert honoring Toegye is held.

At Byeongsan Seowon, the musical drama 'Pungnyu Byeongsan,' based on the story of Seoae, is performed against the magnificent scenery of Byeongsan Seowon and Mandaeru Pavilion.

Through the 'World Heritage Festival Andong,' which celebrates Korea's World Heritage registration and enjoys the value and meaning of World Heritage, visitors can experience the excellence of Andong culture harmonized with nature. [Editor's note]

◈Series order

① Preservation of Korean sentiment... World Cultural Heritage 'Hahoe Village'

② Korea's Seowon 'Byeongsan Seowon' and 'Dosan Seowon'

■ Pride of Traditional Culture 'Hahoe Village'

Hahoe Village, Andong, Gyeongbuk [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

Hahoe Village is Korea's finest traditional village registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. True to its nickname "Water-turning Village," the Nakdong River flows around Andong's Hahoe Village in a Taegeuk (yin-yang) shape. The village scenery, including historic old houses such as Bukchon House, Yangjindang, and Chunghyodang, as well as the alleys connecting them, is very beautiful.

This is the same-surname village of the Pungsan Ryu clan and is a representative folk village of Andong where traditional culture is well preserved along with old houses. The scenic Buyongdae, where the village landscape unfolds along the Nakdong River, and the pine forest of Mansongjeong are all must-see spots.

Unlike the Goryeo period, Confucianism flourished during the Joseon Dynasty, and at its center were the yangban (aristocrats) of the Andong region. The pride and self-respect of the Andong yangban, who did not seek government office but revered scholarship, can be felt in the yangban villages and their traditional culture.

When encountering the beautifully winding streams, elegant and dignified cliffs, and the quiet and peaceful village scenery, one can understand why Andong is widely known as a comfortable village in the East.

Hahoe Village [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, who visited Andong Hahoe Village in 1999, praised Andong as "the most Korean and beautiful village."

Among the many old houses, Yangjindang (Treasure No. 306), where Ryu Jung-young and Ryu Un-yong of Ipam lived, and Chunghyodang (Treasure No. 414), the ancestral home of Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, are treasures held by Hahoe Village.

Because of the deeply rooted yangban culture, the food culture is also evaluated as traditional yet unique compared to other regions.

In particular, 'Heotjesatbap' is a representative dish embodying the ancestral rites culture of the yangban. In Andong, where Confucian culture took root, every household held many ancestral rites. When ritual food remained, it was mixed with various vegetable side dishes and unseasoned chili paste and eaten as side dishes even on days without rites. This practice gave rise to 'Heotjesatbap.'

Other representative dishes of Andong include 'Andong Salted Mackerel,' 'Geonjin Guksi' (noodles made by mixing soybean powder into dough), and 'Andong Jjimdak,' which is sweet and spicy.

■ National Treasure Andong 'Hahoe Mask' Legend

Hahoe Mask (Gaksi) [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

The most famous cultural asset of Andong is the National Treasure No. 121, Andong 'Hahoe Mask.' The Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori is also designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 69.

Originally, there were 12 masks, but currently, only 9 Hahoe masks have been passed down. The expressions of the Hahoe masks are diverse. They are rich in expression and vivid, with movable jaws that move whenever the wearer speaks, unlike other masks.

There is also a legend about the origin of the Hahoe masks. Long ago, infectious diseases and fires frequently troubled Hahoe Village, causing much worry. At that time, a young man named Heo Doryeong, who was handsome and kind-hearted, lived in the village.

One day, the mountain spirit appeared in Heo Doryeong's dream and said, "The reason for the continuous misfortunes in the village is that the village guardian spirit is angry. You must make masks and dance to appease the spirit's anger.

You must make the masks yourself, and no one must know until they are all finished. If anyone finds out or peeks, they will cough up blood and die."

Hahoe Mask (Bune) [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

Awakening from the dream, Heo Doryeong secretly built a hut at the village entrance and began making 12 masks as the mountain spirit instructed.

One day, a village maiden who had long admired Heo Doryeong noticed his disappearance and searched everywhere until she found the hut where he was working.

At that moment, Heo Doryeong was making the last mask, the Imae mask. When their eyes met as the maiden entered the hut calling him, Heo Doryeong coughed up blood and collapsed to the floor, dying. The maiden, feeling guilty for causing his death, is said to have climbed the high cliff of Buyongdae and committed suicide.

The jaw of the last mask Heo Doryeong was making, the Imae mask, remained unfinished because the maiden peeked at him. Since then, the people of Hahoe Village have mourned the deaths of Heo Doryeong and the maiden by holding annual rites. This is how the Hahoe masks were born.

■ Wearing Masks and Praying for Safety: 'Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori'

Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori Performance [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

The special ritual called 'Byeolsingut' was performed periodically to encourage and appease the village guardian spirit's anger. As the name suggests, 'Byeolsingut' is a special and unique ritual, and both the village ritual (Dongje) and Byeolsingut share the purpose of praying for the village's peace and abundant harvest.

Our ancestors held ceremonies called 'Dangje' or 'Dongje' on the first full moon of the lunar year to ask the guardian spirit for protection throughout the year.

Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori is a festival that, in addition to its religious significance, serves as a celebration to relieve the fatigue of the social class system and agricultural labor. During the full moon period of the Byeolsingut, social contradictions and the hypocrisy of the ruling class are openly criticized regardless of social status, gender, or wealth.

Since the mid-12th century, Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori has been performed in Andong Hahoe Village as a village ritual praying for the village's peace, unity, and a bountiful harvest.

Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori Performance [Provided by Gyeongbuk Province]

The villagers believed that the village's prosperity and peace depended on the village guardian spirit and thought that the spirit's power diminished over time, so they held regular rituals periodically.

The lively Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori performances continue in Andong Hahoe Village until December.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.