Eunpyeong-gu to Hold Ethnic Religious Ceremony 'Geumseongdangje' on the 27th

The Only National Ethnic Heritage Shindang in Korea

The 'Confucian Ritual' scene of the Geumseongdang Festival held last year. (Photo by Eunpyeong-gu Office)

Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced on the 23rd that the national folk heritage site Geumseongdang will hold the ethnic faith ritual "Geumseongdangje" on the 27th to pray for the nation's peace and the people's prosperous lives.

"Geumseongdangje" is a shamanistic festival praying for the nation's peace and the people's longevity and health. It is conducted as a Confucian ritual and traditional faith ceremony involving village residents and descendants of Geumseongdaegun.

The event consists of over 20 shamanistic rituals including ▲Hwangto Water Application ▲Imalsan Palace Servant's Wedding ▲Geumjul Chigi (tying the sacred rope) ▲Confucian-style ritual comforting Geumseongdaegun ▲Jedang Greeting ▲Keungeori ▲Jeseok Gut, and more.

"Geumseongdang" is the only nationally designated shrine that has preserved its original site and traditional form to this day. The Geumseong faith, which worshipped the Naju Geumseongsan deity during the Goryeo Dynasty, was transmitted to Hanyang during the Joseon Dynasty. While Geumseongdang existed in Wolgye-dong, Mangwon-dong, and Jingwan-dong in Seoul, only the Geumseongdang in Jingwan-dong remains today. It was designated as National Folk Cultural Property No. 258 in 2008, preserving its original form.

At Geumseongdang, besides the Geumseongsan deity, Geumseongdaegun, the sixth son of King Sejong, is also enshrined as a main deity. Throughout the year, events such as the January Hongsumak ritual, Geumseongwang's birthday celebration, and Chilseok festival were held. Among these, the "Geumseongdangje" held on Geumseongdaegun's birthday was the largest event but was suspended due to the redevelopment of Eunpyeong New Town and has been held annually since 2016.

Eunpyeong-gu is designated as the Bukhansan Han Culture Special Zone, utilizing local historical and cultural resources to establish a foundation for a cultural city. Shamanistic faith is also being preserved and developed as a cultural heritage with legitimacy.

Pyomunsong, director of the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum, said, "As interest in Korean shamanistic faith has increased through cultural content such as the movie 'Pamyo,' I hope that our traditional culture will expand further through 'Geumseongdangje.'"

Admission is free for all, and visitors can enter freely on the day without prior reservation. For more details, contact the exhibition planning team at the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum or check the museum's website.