[Photo] Wishing for a Bountiful Harvest!... 2022 Seonnong Daeje Ceremony Held

Dongdaemun-gu to Hold Ancestral Rite at Seonnongdan on 23rd at 10 AM to Pray for a Bountiful Year and Overcoming COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) announced that on the 23rd at 10 a.m., the ‘2022 Seonnong Daeje,’ marking the beginning of farming in Korea, was held without an audience at Seonnongdan in Seoul (38 Muhak-ro 44-gil, Dongdaemun-gu).

This year’s Seonnong Daeje was conducted without an audience and without side events such as the ritual procession and Seolleongtang sharing due to the COVID-19 situation, with only the ritual ceremony performed.

The ritual ceremony held that day lasted about two hours from 10 a.m., during which 30 officiants from the Seonnong Daeje Preservation Committee performed the procedures including Jeonpye-rye, Chohun-rye, Ahun-rye, Jonghun-rye, Bunhun-rye, Eumbok-rye, and Mangyo-rye, praying for a bountiful harvest and overcoming COVID-19.

Seonnong Daeje is a ritual from the Joseon Dynasty where the king personally offered sacrifices at Seonnongdan to Shin Nong, the god of farming, and Hu Jik, the god of grains, praying for a good harvest that year. Although it was discontinued during the Japanese colonial period, the ritual was restored and has been held annually since 1979, centered on the Seonnongdan Preservation Society formed by local residents.

A Dongdaemun-gu official stated, “Many people join forces every year to hold the Seonnong Daeje to continue our country’s traditions,” adding, “It is regrettable that only the ritual ceremony was held this year, but we hope that next year the event will return to its full form where many residents can share Seolleongtang and enjoy together.”

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