Seungjeonmu (Victory Dance)

Seungjeonmu is a set of dances — a drum dance, a sword dance, and a standing dance — handed down in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. These dances were performed as an offering (heonmu) at the gate of the Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong (the Tongjeyeong Naval Headquarters commanding the navies of the three southern provinces) during various rites and ceremonies of congratulation, and at the spring and autumn memorial rites, birthday rite, and death-anniversary rite held at the shrine of Yi Sun-sin. The drum dance of Seungjeonmu closely resembles the court dance mugo: four principal dancers, wearing hwarot (a ceremonial robe) with hansam (long white sleeve extensions) on both hands, place a drum at the centre and, dividing to the east, west, south and north, dance while striking it, while twelve supporting dancers circle around them singing. The pattern of scattering and regathering in Seungjeonmu represents samjin samtoe ("three advances, three retreats"), and the dance as a whole is splendid and grand yet light and lively. Samhyeon Dodeuri and Taryeong, from the suite Yeongsan Hoesang, are used as accompaniment, and the dance rhythm is simple and archaic, with a distinctive local character. For the sword dance the costume consists of a red skirt, white jacket, black kwaeja (a sleeveless military overcoat), jeollip (a military hat), a red sash, and rainbow-striped sleeve extensions, and the dancers carry a pair of swords as their prop. The elegant movements, melody and tightly structured composition of Seungjeonmu give it high artistic value as a dance rooted in tradition.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Tongyeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

National Intangible Heritage · 국가무형유산