Dongnaehak Dance

Dongnaehak Dance is a crane dance handed down in the Dongnae region. It was mainly performed on Daeboreum, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, during Dongnae Yaryu (a masked drama) or tug-of-war events. It is said to have been named the "crane dance" because a dancer performing the deotbaegi dance while wearing a dopo (a long robe) and a gat (a horsehair hat) looked "just like a crane dancing." Dongnaehak Dance uses no special costume; the dancer instead wears everyday clothing—a dopo and gat, together with baji-jeogori (trousers and jacket), beoseon (socks) and mituri (straw sandals)—and dances improvisationally. The accompanying music is played by a nongak (farmers' music) ensemble of kkwaenggwari (small gong), janggu (hourglass drum), jing (large gong) and buk (drum), in gutgeori rhythm. The dance movements include the "flying" movement, in which both arms wave like wings; the "foot-raising" movement, standing on one leg; the "spreading" and "folding" movements, resembling a crane opening and closing its wings; the "looking" movement, gazing left and right, up and down; and the baegimsae movement, in which the left knee is bent and pushed forward while the right leg extends back, the body swaying side to side or moving gently up and down. Unlike most folk dances, it is not arranged in a fixed sequence; free-spirited improvisation and individual flair are emphasised instead. Dongnaehak Dance is a dance of high artistic value, its harmony of natural and artistic beauty expressed through elegant, refined movement. Its tradition is being carried on by holders of the skill including Kim Tae-hyeong (musician, gong) and Yi Seong-hun (dancer).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Dongnae-gu, Busan

Designation

Provincial Intangible Heritage · 시도무형유산