Bukcheong sajanoreum is a traditional game in Korea which is selected as the 15th Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea next to Hansan mosijjagi. It was played in Hamgyeongnam-do Bukchung province in Korea every the 15th day of the New Year according to the lunar calendar dancing with the lion mask. It was because people believed that lion has a power to turn away the evil ghosts and bring peace in the town.

History

It was played every region in Bukcheog province but the three town was famous ;bukcheongeup, gaheomyun, gutangcheon. In this province, people in small towns decorated their own lion mask and every lions in the province gathered to compete. Competition started since 1930 and poor and small teams have disappeared. The winner team took crops for the prize and it was used for the scholarship, relief for the poor and for the old.

Procedures

Before the main event, young men in many small towns compete with the torch, which was called torh fighting. The lion plaing starts 14th night lunar calendar until the next day at dawn and they visit the rich people's house. If the lion mask is invited, they goes to the garden with dancing and it goes into the main room dancing like eating somthing, and then to kitchen, inner garden dancing actively and it over. Sometimes it takes children on them because it is believed that children lives long if they take it or get its hair.

Transmission

In August 1960, people who defect to South Korea form Bukchung province organized the transmission commitee. At that time, Yun youn-chun, Kim su-seok, Byun Young-ho, Dong young-suk , Yeo je-sung, Jeon Jung-sik and else were designated to a holder.