Seohaean baeyeonsingut
Encyclopedia
Seohaean baeyeonsingut is a shamanistic exorcism ritual that takes place on top of a boat in the Korea's West Coast region. It is performed to the gods to ask for abundant catches of fish at sea. It's South Korea's Important Intangible Cultural Properties 82-2.
July 7 is the day when fishermen lost at sea can see the Big Dipper
, the brightest stars that will help them find their way like a compass. From olden times, Koreans believed that the Big Dipper was the constellation
of stars that controlled the time of space and human lives. That is why humans have prayed for health and happiness in the direction of the Big Dipper.
On the night of July 7, popular folklore also has it that two love stars, Gyunwoo and Jiknyu, meet and form the beautiful galaxy. This is another reason why the exorcism is held on this day.
Seohaean Baeyeonsingut were performed annually in the villages in Haeju
, Ongjin and the Yeonpyeong Island of Hwanghaedo, North Korea
, with a prayer for peace in the village and a good catch.
The exorcism is performed as a prayer to the gods of the heaven and the sea.
It is believed that the rite is more effective if performed by a shaman , so it is traditionally performed with one.
July 7 is the day when fishermen lost at sea can see the Big Dipper
Big Dipper
The Plough, also known as the Big Dipper or the Saptarishi , is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial...
, the brightest stars that will help them find their way like a compass. From olden times, Koreans believed that the Big Dipper was the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
of stars that controlled the time of space and human lives. That is why humans have prayed for health and happiness in the direction of the Big Dipper.
On the night of July 7, popular folklore also has it that two love stars, Gyunwoo and Jiknyu, meet and form the beautiful galaxy. This is another reason why the exorcism is held on this day.
Seohaean Baeyeonsingut were performed annually in the villages in Haeju
Haeju
Haeju is a city located in South Hwanghae Province near Haeju Bay in North Korea. It is the administrative centre of South Hwanghae Province. As of 2000, the population of the city is estimated to be 236,000. At the beginning of 20th century, it became a strategic port in Sino-Korean trade...
, Ongjin and the Yeonpyeong Island of Hwanghaedo, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, with a prayer for peace in the village and a good catch.
The exorcism is performed as a prayer to the gods of the heaven and the sea.
It is believed that the rite is more effective if performed by a shaman , so it is traditionally performed with one.