Gayajillyongsin Rite

The Gayajillyongsin Rite is one of the state rites handed down from the Three Kingdoms period through the Joseon dynasty, and is a folk performance formed on the basis of the ritual ceremonies held at Gayajinsa Shrine in Yangsan. Originally it was simply a matter of laying out offerings and praying to the spirits of heaven, earth and the dragon god, with a feast of song and dance; over time this developed into today's form, in which the rite is made up of distinct ritual and performance sections — the bujeong-gut (a rite to drive out impurity), the chiksa-yeongjeopgut (a rite welcoming the royal envoy), the yongsinje (a rite to the dragon god), the yongso-puri (a rite at the dragon pool) and the sasin-puri (a rite for sending off the envoy). The Gayajillyongsin Rite begins with cleaning the shrine hall and the village, in readiness to receive the royal envoy, while circling the village and Gayajinsa Shrine. In the bujeong-gut, a straw rope is strung to bar impurity, yellow earth is scattered, and the procession sets out along the route to welcome the envoy; the lead singer performs the jisin-puri, treading the road, while the rest of the party follow behind, smoothing the way. Once the envoy is met and escorted to Gayajinsa Shrine, the procession returns to the altar, circles it once, and performs the gangsinje, a rite of spirit-descent. The officiating priest then presides over the yongsinje. When the rite is finished, before setting out for the yongso — the pool believed to be home to the dragon god — pine branches are burned to cleanse away all impurity, and the pungmul (farmers'-band) performers even take off their own shoes and burn them. The ritual officials load a live pig onto the bow of the boat as an offering, and on reaching the yongso they pour a cup of wine, bow in prayer for the peace and prosperity of the village, and present the offering to the Dragon King. After circling the yongso once and returning, the end of the rite is announced at the altar, and the performance concludes when the royal envoy removes his official robes. The Gayajillyongsin Rite is a festival in which the whole village takes part, and it holds important significance in strengthening harmony among the residents.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yangsan, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Intangible Heritage · 시도무형유산