Dongjak-gu 'Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Festival' Opens

On the 24th at 12 PM, held for the first time in 4 years at Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Market... Praying for the village's well-being and residents' harmony

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced that the "30th Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Festival" will be held at 12 noon on the 24th at Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Site (in front of Dongjak Library).

The "Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Festival" is a ritual praying for the village's well-being and residents' harmony toward the standing Jangseung (Korean totem poles). Since 1991, the district has held the Jangseung Festival every October to inherit and develop the local traditional culture.

The Jangseung Festival, held for the first time in four years, is organized by the Noryangjin 2-dong Residents' Autonomy Committee. Before the ritual, a Samulnori performance starts from the Noryangjin 2-dong Community Center and proceeds while touring various parts of the village, moving toward the Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Site.

The officiant wearing a dopo (traditional Korean robe) reads the ritual prayer, and offerings such as red bean steamed rice cake (pat sirutteok), pig's head, raw rice, fruits, and Makgeolli are placed. After the ritual, the officiant raises a communal votive paper for the village, concluding the ceremony.

The area around Jangseungbaegi Station on Subway Line 7 is where King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty briefly rested on his way to visit the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado. Two Jangseung were erected by King Jeongjo's order for the safety of the royal procession, and since then, the place has been called Jangseungbaegi.

The Jangseungbaegi Jangseung Festival was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage in 2015. It is significant because local residents take the lead in passing down traditional cultural heritage at a site with historical footprints.

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, "I thank the members of the Residents' Autonomy Committee who work hard for the development of Dongjak-gu and the harmony of residents," adding, "I hope the Jangseung Festival will be an opportunity to reflect on traditional culture and enhance the community spirit among residents."

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