Dano Traditions: Making Surichwi-tteok, Paper Fan at National Folk Museum’s Dano Festival

연합뉴스 / 2024-06-04 15:50:10

▲ This photo, provided by the National Folk Museum of Korea, shows foreign visitors washing their hair with changpo (sweet flag) water, a Korean tradition to celebrate Dano that falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- The National Folk Museum of Korea will host the 'Beginning of Summer, Dano' event to celebrate Dano (June 10), introducing traditional seasonal customs, the museum announced on the 4th.

Dano, which falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, is also known as 'Jung-o', 'Cheonjungjeol', and 'Surit-nal'. It has long been considered a major holiday as it is believed to be the day when yang energy is most vigorous. Various customs were practiced to ward off evil spirits and pray for good fortune.

Last year, Dano was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage.

▲ This photo, provided by the National Folk Museum of Korea, shows Surichwi-tteok. Making this rice cake has been deemed one of the Korean traditions to celebrate Dano that falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

On the 5th, visitors can observe the traditional practice of washing hair with changpo (sweet flag) water in the front yard of Ochondae. Changpo is a common plant in Korea, and it was believed that washing hair with boiled changpo water, including its roots, would prevent hair from turning white and repel evil spirits.

▲ This photo of a handmade paper fan is provided by the National Folk Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

On Dano itself, June 10, there will be experiences such as distributing Dano fans and stamping Dano talismans. Participants can enjoy surichwi-tteok (mugwort rice cake) and watch performances of Haeju Seungmu and Gangneung Mask Dance from Hwanghae Province.

At the Children’s Museum, there will be a hands-on activity where children can make Paldeokseon, traditional fans used by farmers, named for their eight benefits.

▲ This photo, captured from the website of KANSONG Art and Culture Foundation, shows a folk painting ‘Dano Pungjeong,’ meaning a landscape on Dano, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)