Pyeongtaek Nongak (Farmers’ Performance of Pyeongtaek)

Pyeongtaek lies alongside the broad plain known as Sosaetdeul, and since ancient times this has made the area abundant in agricultural produce, forming an important background for the development of Pyeongtaek Nongak. In addition, Cheongnyongsa Temple near Pyeongtaek was from an early period a base for sadangpae (itinerant performing troupes), and by the late Joseon period their nongak had developed greatly. For this reason, Pyeongtaek Nongak carries the character both of dure nongak (communal village-farming nongak) and of geollippae nongak (nongak performed by itinerant monks who beat the kkwaenggwari while chanting Buddhist prayers and soliciting alms). The instruments used are the kkwaenggwari, jing, buk, beokku (small hand drum), hojeok (reed pipe) and trumpet. The ensemble is made up of a yeonggisu (command-flag bearer), nonggisu (farming-flag bearer), trumpet player, hojeok player, lead kkwaenggwari player (sangsoe), assistant kkwaenggwari player (busoe), third kkwaenggwari player (jongsoe), two jing players, lead janggu player (seoljanggu), assistant janggu player (bujanggu), third janggu player (sangjanggu), buk player, lead beokku player, assistant beokku player, third beokku player, rear beokku player, and dancers playing the roles of sangmudong, jongmudong, sammudong and chilmudong, together with a jungae (novice monk) and a yangban (nobleman). The performers wear a costume of the kind once worn by soldiers, with a coloured sash draped over it, and wear either a peomgeoji (military-style hat) or a gokkal (conical hat) on their heads. Compared with other regions, this nongak uses fewer jing and buk, and makes no distinction between the sogo and beopgo drums. Its rhythmic patterns are clearly distinguished, and it is unusual in including a norae-gut (song section) as well. In addition, gilgunak chilchae is a rhythm found only in Gyeonggi nongak, and the version performed in Pyeongtaek Nongak is distinct from those of other regions. Pyeongtaek Nongak is rooted in the unpretentious tradition of dure nongak, while also absorbing the highly theatrical, professional performances of Namsadangpae entertainers, combining the two into a sophisticated, composite nongak of a high standard; its mudong nori — a dance in which a child dances while riding on an adult's shoulders — is especially well developed.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi

Designation

National Intangible Heritage · 국가무형유산