Goheung Wolpo Farmers’ Music

Nongak refers broadly to the music played by farmers organised into ture (cooperative labour groups) while working, performed on percussion instruments such as kkwaenggwari (small gong), jing (large gong), janggu (hourglass drum) and buk (barrel drum). Judged by structure, costume and musical character, the nongak of Jeollanam-do can be broadly divided into jwado-gut (left-region nongak), udo-gut (right-region nongak) and doseo-haean-gut (island and coastal nongak). Of these, doseo-haean-gut is performed around Namhae and the south-western coast, in Geumsan-myeon of Goheung County and around Wando Island and Jindo Island; its gilgut (procession music) differs from that of the inland forms, and it maintains a close affinity with the spirits through village shrine rites (dangje), giving it an independent character belonging to neither the jwado nor the udo tradition. Goheung Wolpo nongak is a form of doseo-haean-gut. It is said, though not confirmed, to have originated when nongak was played to raise troop morale during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) of 1592. Its ensemble consists of deokseokgi (a large banner), nonggi (farmers' flag), various nongak instruments, yeonggi (command flags), soe (small gongs), nongbu (the 'farmer' performer), jing, janggu, buk, beokgu and sogo (small hand drums), daeposu (a mock hunter figure) and yangban (a mock aristocrat figure). It is characterised by its full preservation of the mungut (gate rite) and by a strong religious character linked to the village shrine rite; its dance and acrobatics are lively, and it is notable for the role of a boy called 'nongbu' (farmer), not found in other regions. Choi Byeong-tae is currently recognised as the holder of this skill for Goheung Wolpo nongak.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Goheung, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Intangible Heritage · 시도무형유산