Uiryeong-gun Preserves the Disappearing Thatched Roof Reed Weaving Tradition

200-Year-Old Changnyeong Jo Clan Traditional House with Thatched Roof Renovated

Recreating the thatched roof with rice straw of the Changnyeong Jo clan's traditional house located in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam. [Provided by Uiryeong-gun Office]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam is putting great effort into preserving our traditional thatched houses and the thatched roof reed patching that are disappearing.

Before the full onset of winter, Uiryeong-gun recreated the thatched roof reed patching at the Cho family old house, a traditional house located in Sangjeong-ri, Hwajeong-myeon.

The county is focusing on maintenance projects targeting local cultural assets to become an attractive cultural city where history and nature coexist, and from the 21st to the 27th, they worked hard to refurbish the thatched roof of the Cho family old house in Hwajeong-myeon.

At the Cho family ancestral home in Hwajeong-myeon, every year after the harvest is finished, they prepare rice straw and, before the full start of winter, carry out the reed patching work on the thatched roof to give it a new look. The Cho family old house is the ancestral home of the Changnyeong Cho clan, built from the 17th century through the 20th century.

It is a typical wealthy farmer’s house, with the main building having a three-bay structure of five bays in the front and two bays on the side, featuring an octagonal roof, arranged in a square shape centered on the main building.

In addition, there are nine buildings including the sarangchae (men’s quarters), haengnangchae (servants’ quarters), storage house, mill house, family shrine, detached quarters, stable, and main gatehouse. It was designated as Gyeongnam Province Folklore Cultural Property No. 15 in 1993.