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| Introduction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Gangneung Dano Festival is a long-running traditional festival that celebrates Dano (the fifth day of the 5th month according to the lunar calendar). This day, together with the New Year and Chuseok, is one of the three major holidays in Korea. The festival was designated as the nation’s Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 13 in 1967, and registered on UNESCO’s list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 25, 2005. The festival is a combination of various shamanist and memorial rituals along with some traditional games. Opening events include the brewing of the sacred liquor that is offered to the mountain deity and the rituals held in Daegwallyeong. During the festival, visitors can swing on a traditional Korean swing or make a traditional Korean mask that drives away evil spirits and summons a healthy year. Other attractions include exorcisms, mask dances, and pungmullori (Korean traditional folk music). Event Programs: The events actually last for over a month in the town of Gangneung and at Daegwallyeong summit; however, the main festival is held over a three- to four-day period at the Dano Cultural Center and in the surrounding area. Highlights of the festival are the daily shamanist rituals. The first day is marked by a spectacular memorial parade of 5,000 people across downtown Gangneung, which is followed by a procession of citizens. During the festival, visitors can also watch the Gwanno mask drama, the nation’s only pantomime drama, together with the Gangneung Dano’s shamanist ritual. Special hands-on programs include playing on traditional Korean swings and Korean wrestling, washing one’s hair in changpo (iris) water and eating surichwi rice cakes. In the Nanjang market opened outside the Dano Cultural Center, visitors can enjoy a farmers’ music contest, games, circus performances and giveaway events, all creating a lively, festive ambience. This market is the largest temporary market in Korea and offers a wide selection of products and handicrafts from all over the nation. Be sure to try some yeot (Korean taffy) at the taffy stand. Major Highlights: The Gwanno mask drama, which can be seen only during the Gangneung Dano Festival, is Korea’s only pantomime drama about a local deity and a unique art form preserving the originality of Korea’s mask drama. Originally, the mask drama was a pantomime performed by government servants who played a yangban (nobleman), a gaksi (bride), and other characters. This performance involves a yangban holding a fan and wearing a pointed hat with a 30 centimeter-long pheasant feather, a gaksi with rouged cheeks and forehead, and 10 musicians. Since there is no dialogue, everyone can easily relate to the drama. This performance is staged only during the Gangneung Dano Festival, so check the schedule in advance on the festival’s website so that you will be sure to make it. [Major Programs] The first event, known as Sinjubitgi, takes place on May 21. Here liquor is made and sacrificed to the spirits. The local citizens become involved by donating rice that they have yielded from their crops. This event is enjoyed by many of all ages and nationalities. The second big event is held on May 31 and consists of two ceremonies at Daegwallyeong Hill, the Sanshin (mountain spirit) Ceremony and Guksa-seonghwang Ceremony. At the top of Daegwallyeong Hill is Sansin Tower and Daegwallyeong Guksa-seonghwang Shrine where the two ceremonies take place in honor of the spirits. After the ceremony is completed, people proceed down the mountain. This event attracts many onlookers. The third event is the Dano festival. This festival is held from June 17~21. The festival begins with the townspeople walking along side the spirits through the streets of the town. Two spirits walk in the direction of Namdaecheon and stay at an altar here for 5 days. During this period, people come to worship the spirits and a female shaman holds an exorcism to ward off misfortune and disease. The female shaman also prays for a plentiful harvest. On the final day of Dano, the spirits begin their journey back up the mountain. |
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| Admission/Participation Fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free (Some participation fees may be charged.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Take a bus for Gangneung at the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (06:30-23:00 / 46 daily departures / 3 hrs.) -> Get off at Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal and take a taxi for Dano Cultural Center (takes 10 min. / Fare: 3,000 won) |
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| Fax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| +82-33-646-1595 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homepage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| www.danojefestival.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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