Songpa Sandae Noli is a type of ''
sandae noli
The ''mengdu'' (Jeju language, Jeju and ), also called the three ''mengdu'' () and the three ''mengdu'' of the sun and moon (), are a set of three kinds of brass ritual devices—a pair of knives, a bell, and divination implements—which are th ...
'',
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
n traditional
mask
A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment and often they have been employed for rituals and rights. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practic ...
play which has been handed down in the neighborhoods of
Songpa-dong and
Garak-dong
''Garak-dong'' is a neighbourhood, '' dong'' of Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The exact etymology is unknown but said that the town was once called ''garakgol'' (가락골).
Education
Schools located in Garak-dong:
* Seoul Gadong Elementary Scho ...
in modern-day Seoul, South Korea. ''Sandae Noli'' is a mask dance that developed in Seoul and the mid of metropolitan region.
History
''Songpa Sandae Noli'' began with a cheerful parade called ''georigut'' (거리굿) or ''gilnori'' (길놀이) as circling around the Songpa Market and nearby town in order to attract people to their performance. The two terms literally mean "street shamanistic ritual" and "street performanace" respectively. When parading, they wore masks and costumes, and played a type of marching music, ''gilgunak'' (길군악).
With a decorative small flag used by farmers or ''yeonggi'' (영기, 令旗)
at the head, the performers followed the musicians in procession. After the parade, they used an
amulet
An amulet, also known as a good luck charm or phylactery, is an object believed to confer protection upon its possessor. The word "amulet" comes from the Latin word amuletum, which Pliny's ''Natural History'' describes as "an object that protects ...
to ward off misfortune and to wish everyone in the market to have good health and fortune.
Preparation
The performers hold a ''seomakgosa'' (서막고사), a kind of ''
jesa
Jesa (, ) is a ceremony commonly practiced in the East Asian cultural sphere. Jesa functions as a memorial to the ancestors of the participants. Jesa are usually held on the anniversary of the ancestor's death. The majority of Catholics, Budd ...
'', sacrificial rite before the ''sandaenoli'' begins. Masks used for the coming performance are placed on a table setting for the ''jesa'' along with several varieties of food, and performers pour alcoholic beverages into a bowl and bow toward the table. This rite is to honor the dead and wish them to rest in peace, as well as to expect to have a good performance.
Story
It consists of 12 acts called ''gwajang'' (과장, 科場) or ''madang'' (마당) in Korean. ''Songpa sandaenoli'' candidly depicts conflicts between classes and human nature.
Cultural significance
''Songpa Sandae Noli'' was designated as the 49th item on the list of
Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea
The Intangible Cultural Heritage (, ''Muhyeong Munhwajae'') are aspects of intangible culture that the government of South Korea has officially designated for preservation in accordance with the 1962 Cultural Property Protection Law. They are p ...
by the South Korean
Cultural Heritage Administration
The Cultural Heritage Administration () or CHA, formerly the Cultural Properties Administration, is the agency of the South Korean government charged with preserving and promoting Korean cultural heritage. It is headquartered in the city of Dae ...
in 1973.
Gallery
Image:Korean mask dance-Songpa sandaenori-01.jpg
Image:Korean mask dance-Songpa sandaenori-04.jpg
Image:Korean mask dance-Songpa sandaenori-07.jpg
Image:Korean mask dance-Songpa sandaenori-08.jpg
See also
*
Talchum
( t'alch'um) could be characterized as a Korean dance performed while wearing a mask, mimicry, miming, speaking, and even sometimes singing. Although the term is usually taken to mean all mask dance dramas by most Koreans, it is strictly speaki ...
*
Namsadang nori
The ''namsadang'' () is a Korean itinerant troupe which consists of male performers who present various performing arts such as acrobatics, singing, dancing and playing like a circus.
It is said that ''namsadang'' was spontaneously formed before 1 ...
*
Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea
The Intangible Cultural Heritage (, ''Muhyeong Munhwajae'') are aspects of intangible culture that the government of South Korea has officially designated for preservation in accordance with the 1962 Cultural Property Protection Law. They are p ...
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
Information and video clip on Songpa Sandae Noli Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is a local government of Seoul, South Korea. The mayor is elected to a four-year term by the citizens of Seoul and is responsible for the administration of the city government. The Seoul Metropolitan Government d ...
Video with highlights from Songpa Sandae Noli YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
1984 publication by Cho, Ohkon with the script of Songpa Sandae Noli in English, Korea Journal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Songpa Sandae Noli
Korean dance
Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea