The first full moon of the 2014 lunar calendar fell on February 15 this year and marks a holiday known as Jeongwol Daeboreum in Korea. It was especially cold, but a lot of tourists gathered at Namsangol Hanok Village to celebrate this special day together.
Upon entering the Hanok Village plaza, there was an enormous decorated sheaf tower called “daljib” in Korean. Freshly chopped pine trees and branches are the daljib’s main elements and burn brightly when lighted. Burning the daljib is a traditional Korean act to dispel misfortune and to wish for good luck throughout the New Year.
Children also took part in cracking bureom nuts, one of the long held customs that is believed to keep one‘s health and teeth strong. Traditionally, chewing hard bureom nuts such as raw chestnuts, walnuts, ginkgo nuts and pine nuts was thought to keep your teeth strong.
Making your own masks, spinning tops, and archery kits was another fun part of the Jeongwol Daeboreum Event at Namsangol Hanok Village.
Soon after completing their crafts, children enjoyed playing with their creations.
Visitors could also try making rice cake by battering it with a massive mallet.
Yutnori, Tuho, Jegichagi and many more traditional games were played.
Some liquor, namely gwibalgisul (meaning a liquor to clear the ears to hear good news throughout the whole year), was shared with many local and international visitors as well.
You could also watch yongjuldarigi (a Korean version of tug of war, with a slight difference in that people consider the two ropes as male and female dragons) take place among the villagers.
At night, more exciting acts like Taekkyeon (traditional Korean martial arts) and Taak (a traditional percussion performance) took the stage.
With the lighting of the daljib sheaves, the highlight of the event, the official celebration was coming to an end.