Village Wishes for Happiness in North and South Korea (2/2)

Nongak, which is also called “Pungmul” (farmer’s music ensemble), “Dure” (communal labor arrangements) or “Gut” (shamanic ceremony), is a form of communal consciousness. It is also an exciting game performed by farmers to wish for a good harvest and peace in the village, as well as to get rid of negative energy by playing various instruments. The Philbong Troupe’s Nongak was designated as an important intangible cultural asset of South Korea in 1988. Well known for its 300-year-old tradition, Philbong Nongak is one of South Korea’s five representative Nongak troupes and has an active ongoing lineage.