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ICH Elements 4
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Gangneung Danoje festival
Inscribed in 2008 (3.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2005) The annual Gangneung Danoje Festival takes place in the town of Gangneung and its surroundings, situated east of the Taebaek Mountain Range on the Korean peninsula.The festival includes a shamanistic ritual on the Daegwallyeong Ridge, which pays tribute to the mountain deity and male and female tutelary deities. It encompasses traditional music and Odokddegi folk songs, the Gwanno mask drama, oral narrative poetry, and various popular pastimes. The Nanjang market, Korea’s largest outdoor marketplace, is today a major element of the festival, where local products and handicrafts are sold and contests, games and circus performances take place. The four-week long festival begins with the brewing of a sacred liquor and the Dano shamanistic rituals, in which a central role is played by a sacred tree, the sinmok, and the hwagae, a ritual object made of feathers, bells and bamboo wood. One of the specific features of the festival is the coexistence of Confucian, shamanistic and Buddhist rituals. Through the rituals devoted to the deities, the region is believed to remain unaffected by natural disasters, allowing all its residents to live in peace and prosperity. Every year, a large number of visitors attend the various ritual performances and actively participate in events such as making Danoje festival fans, brewing the sacred liquor, drawing masks for the Gwanno Mask Drama, preparing and eating Surichiwi rice crackers and washing their hair in Iris water. The Gangneung Danoje Festival enjoys immense popularity. However, cultural standardization and increased media coverage over the years have resulted in the loss of some traditional elements of the festival. In the traditional context of the festival, one of the functions has been to transcend social differences by allowing people of all social classes to participate.
South Korea 2008 -
Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation
Aitys (in Kazakh language), Aitysh (in Kyrgyz) is an improvised competition of two akyns, the form of oral poetry performed in a singing manner, poetic contest of improvisations or a poetic duel of wits. The element is performed to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments: Kazakh dombra or Kyrgyz komuz. Two akyns compete with each other in improvisation of verses on topical themes in a wit-sparkling manner alternating humour and deep philosophic reflections. During the competition two akyns sitting opposite each other develop a song-like dialogue catching up the opponent’s words and performing in turn their improvisations on the spur of the moment. Songs performed during the aitysh-aitys are improvised on whatever topics which come up depending on the wish of the audience. The winner of the competition is the one considered to have demonstrated the most musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The element is very popular among people and is considered as a “folk tribune”. In fact, all regions of the countries have bearers and practitioners who often represent their local communities at the poetic competitions raising up topical and urgent problems of social life and criticizing all kinds of vices. The element is practiced at various events from local festivities to nation-wide events. Aitysh/Aitys presents the art of a dialogue participated not only by the performers but by their listeners as well. It is an essential part of life for the communities of tokmo-akyns and aityskers.
Kyrgyzstan,Kazakhstan 2015 -
Askiya, the art of wit
Askiya (in Arabic – “azkiya”, literally means “witty”, “resourceful”) is an original genre of folk-spectacular art, and oral folk creativity, which evolved and became widespread in the Ferghana Valley and Tashkent region. As a result of continuous evolution it achieved the level of art. Askiya is an original eloquence and witticism contest organized between two or more people around particular topic or theme (which is called by askiya performers as payrov). In so doing, askiya performers use simple words in different meanings and for different purposes. They joke open-heartedly and in a friendly manner, laugh at some unusual situations and flaws observed or run across in the daily life of their contemporaries. Not to offend his rival the performer (askiyachi or askiyaboz) has to use carefully and skillfully each word and phrase during askiya. At present more than thirty forms of askiya are known. These include payrov, qofiya, radif, bakhribayt, tutal, okhshatdim, afsona, rabbiya, safsata, chiston, laqab, gulmisiz, bulasizmi, shirinkor and terma. Although, each of the above-mentioned forms conform to common requirements peculiar to askiya art genre, still each has its own distinguishing features.
Uzbekistan 2014 -
Beopseongpo Danoje (Dano Festival of Beopseongpo)
National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Beopseongpo Danoje is a traditional folk festival held annually around Dano, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, in the Beopseongpo area of Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do. During the Joseon Period, Beopseongpo was one of the major trading areas on the Korean Peninsula due to the presence of a warehouse for storing tax grains and a famous seasonal fish market selling yellow corvinas. Thanks to these favorable social and economic circumstances, a large open-air market usually opened whenever the fish market was held, and a local folk festival naturally developed in this area as a result. The festival features diverse programs related to the well-preserved characteristics and traditions of the Beopseongpo area, such as the dragon king ritual held for fishermen’s safety, women’s boating, and artistic competitions in the nearby forest.
South Korea
ICH Materials 30
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Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation
Aitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. During the competition, the performers sit opposite one another improvising a dialogue on topics chosen by the audience. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The most meaningful and witty expressions often become popular sayings. The element is practiced on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues. Although it was traditionally performed only by men, many women now participate in Aitys and use the contest to express women’s aspirations and viewpoints.
Kazakhstan -
2. Case of Kyrgyzstan: Influences and Effects of ICH Festivals on Local Communities
The ICH festivals in the Kyrgyz Republic are a great way to safeguard the cultural heritage. Kyrgyzstan has a rich ICH and embraces all ICH domains including the oral traditions andexpressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive event, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship. Festivals feature various ICH domains such as arts and crafts, cuisine, folklore, felt, hunting with birds, horse games, etc. For instance, the festivals Kyrgyz Shyrdagy and the Oimo International Festival are held with the aim of safeguarding and popularizing traditional knowledge and skills of handicrafts, for safeguarding and promoting traditional games, various birds of prey festivals are held, such as Salbuurun and Kok Boru. Moreover, festivals are dedicated to safeguarding oral traditions, such as Aitysh, the art of improvisation as well as many other festivals reflecting traditional cuisine, folklore, etc.
South Korea 2020-11-18
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GANGNEUNG DANOJE FESTIVAL, ANCIENT EVENTS REVITALISING DOWNTOWNThe Gangneung Danoje Festival has maintained typical elements of ancient festivals that were held in May (seedtime) and in October (harvest time) during the Samhan period (around 300 CE). In the fifth lunar month, which includes Dano day, local people perform rituals for driving away evil spirits and welcoming the fortune and participate in traditional games and activities. The main deities of the festival are the mountain god, Kim Yusin, who was the general of Shilla and the United Three Kingdoms, and the royal tutor tutelary deity, Beomil, who was a Shilla monk. The first documented record of Dano folklore appears in the Samguksagi (A History of the Three Kingdoms). Other records indicate that Dano has commonly been referred to as ‘Suri’ in local dialects.Year2012NationSouth Korea
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PASOLA FESTIVAL: Sumba Tribe Horse Riding ContestPasola is a Sumba Tribe horse riding contest from Sumba Island of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is followed by Marapu groups which is the local religion of Sumba community. This festive is a peak of Nyale tradition where they plead for successful harvest as well as a thankful ceremony to ancestors. The celebration of Pasola in Marapu’s belief is considered to maintain the harmony between ancestral and humankind. They believe that ancestors can give the blessing and the prosperity for them and bring harmony.\n\nThe word of Pasola comes from “sola” or “hola”, which means Javelin woods. The affix ‘pa’ when added, the meaning changes to be wooden javelin game. So, pasola or pahola means a game throwing the wooden javelin while fast-riding horse between two opposing groups. The game of pasola is held on four settlements in West Sumba Region i.e. Kodi, Lamboya, Wonokaka, and Gaura. This game is performed between Februarys to March every year in alternation.\n\nThe Process of Ceremony\nPasola is commenced by Nyale tradition. Nyale tradition is a thanksgiving ceremony for pleasant harvest season and plenty of Eunice Fucata (a species of sea worm) on the coast is the indication innate in the festival. It is held at a full moon when the Nyale (sea worm in Sumba Language) comes out to the seashore. The ethnic chief called Rato will predict the moment once the sea worms come out when the sun is rising in the morning. When the Rato finds the first sea worm, its shape and color is examined. If the worm is fat, healthy, and colorful, it is predicted that they will influence the benefit and gain successful harvest that year. It also means that Pasola Festival can be performed. In contrast, if Nyale is thin and unhealthy, it is the believed that misfortune will occur and Pasola is forbidden to be organized.\n\nPasola is a Sumba Tribe horse riding contest from Sumba Island of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is followed by Marapu groups which is the local religion of Sumba community. This festive is a peak of Nyale tradition where they plead for successful harvest as well as a thankful ceremony to ancestors. The celebration of Pasola in Marapu’s belief is considered to maintain the harmony between ancestral and humankind. They believe that ancestors can give the blessing and the prosperity for them and bring harmony.\n\nThe word of Pasola comes from “sola” or “hola”, which means Javelin woods. The affix ‘pa’ when added, the meaning changes to be wooden javelin game. So, pasola or pahola means a game throwing the wooden javelin while fast-riding horse between two opposing groups. The game of pasola is held on four settlements in West Sumba Region i.e. Kodi, Lamboya, Wonokaka, and Gaura. This game is performed between Februarys to March every year in alternation.\n\nThe Process of Ceremony\nPasola is commenced by Nyale tradition. Nyale tradition is a thanksgiving ceremony for pleasant harvest season and plenty of Eunice Fucata (a species of sea worm) on the coast is the indication innate in the festival. It is held at a full moon when the Nyale (sea worm in Sumba Language) comes out to the seashore. The ethnic chief called Rato will predict the moment once the sea worms come out when the sun is rising in the morning. When the Rato finds the first sea worm, its shape and color is examined. If the worm is fat, healthy, and colorful, it is predicted that they will influence the benefit and gain successful harvest that year. It also means that Pasola Festival can be performed. In contrast, if Nyale is thin and unhealthy, it is the believed that misfortune will occur and Pasola is forbidden to be organized.\n\nThe arena of Pasola Festival undertakes in large terrain. It consists of two groups and each group has more than 100 spear-armed knights. The spear is created from dull-tipped wood with diameter of 1.5 cm. This game can harm the victims even though the spear is dull. According to the Marapu’s faith, if there is a victim during the contest, it is believed that the rule is broken or mistake has been made so ancestors will punish them. During the Pasola, some knights will be injured and the blood will come out from his body. This blood is opined as valuable for soil fertility and successful harvest. If death occurs during the Pasola, it is a signal that there was a custom violation carried out by society on the Pasola arena previously.\n\nPasola has become a service way and loyal acclamation to ancestors and a core of Marapu. It can be a liaison of brotherhood between two opposing groups and the community. It is a thanksgiving manifestation and happy expression of inhabitant due to abundance harvest. Today, Pasola is a milestone of Sumba tourism development because this culture attraction has been appealing number of domestic and foreign tourists.\n\nPhoto : Pasola Festival ⓒ Novie Charleen Magne_shutterstockYear2020NationIndonesia