Fall 2023 SDLC111
Cultural Post #1
추석 Chuseok
David Kim
30262888
david.kim123@richmond.edu
When I checked my calendar for September, 29th was marked with Chuseok and 28th and 30th were marked with consecutive holidays of Chuseok. Since I am living in the United States during this time period for university, I am jealous of other Koreans who have long weekends with holidays.
Chuseok is a national holiday celebrating Fall and harvest on August 15th of the lunar calendar. It is a three-day holiday, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving Day. It is one of the biggest traditional holidays in South Korea with New Year’s Day. In addition to the meaning of appreciating Fall and harvest, it adds the meaning of celebrating the victory of 신라(Silla) over 발해(Balhae). It is not known exactly when Chuseok began, but it is assumed that it began before the Three Kingdoms Period, given that it already existed in Silla. "Han" means big and "Gawi" means center. "Gawi" also means 가배(gabae), which is a tool that women used to weave yarn during the Silla Dynasty. There are many hypotheses about the origins of Chuseok, including the story from the 적마경기(Jeokma Gyeonggi) held during the reign of Yuri Lee Sa-geum, the third king of Silla.
During Chuseok, various events are held and games are held. People enjoy playing games such as 널뛰기(Neolttwigi), 제기차기(Jegichagi), 강강술래(Ganggangsullae), 윷놀이(Yutnori), and 씨름(Ssireum). They enjoy Nongak, divide sides among villagers, or play tug-of-war with other villages. A wrestling match takes place on the lawn or sand, and the winner receives calves, rice, and mineral trees. In the west coast of Jeollanam-do, women gathered in an open field at the sunrise of Chuseok and played Ganggangsullae, and it is said that they also enjoyed 닭싸움(chicken fights) and 소싸움(cow fights). Making a wish on the full moon is a tradition that has been passed down since a long time.
On Chuseok, people wear hanboks, prepare songpyeon made of new rice, and various foods such as fresh fruits and taro soup to appreciate the harvest. Also, they have a good day sharing delicious food with my neighbors. No matter how poor and difficult people lived, they enjoyed sharing food together. It is the season of fruits in which all kinds of grains are ripe, and contains the brightest moon chestnut, and a grave is offered in gratitude for the grace of the ancestors. In addition, it is usual for Korean office workers to be paid bonuses in the name of Chuseok bonuses. Young children will also get some money from elders.
Chuseok is Korea's largest holiday to celebrate a good harvest in the harvest season, hold a rite to honor the benevolence of the ancestors, and share a warm heart with neighbors. As the saying goes, "No more or less, always like Hangawi," new grains and fresh fruits come out during the good season of Cheongo-mabi, and everything is abundant.
Since it is difficult to experience Chuseok and its culture, food, and traditional games in the United States, I hope to spend a good time in South Korea for Chuseok in the future.
https://www.90daykorean.com/chuseok-in-korea/
https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0057862
http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/km/view.do?levelId=km_036_0040_0020_0030_0040
Comments
I have never had the opportunity to celebrate Chuseok traditionally, so this was really interesting to read. Hopefully one day I will get the chance to experience some of these first hand!
I remember celebrating Chuseok with my family while I was growing up and with the other students at the Korean school I attended in high school. Of course, it was never a gigantic celebration with everyone gathering and eating full on feasts, but it was still a very fun experience. And now that I look at this I sort of miss the celebrations and like you, I look forward to spending Chuseok with my family once again in the future.