‘Nami Janggun Sadangje’ Held in Yongsan from 29th to Next Month 2nd

Over 200 Participants in Procession, General's Departure, and Other Exciting Events

Last year, the 41st Namijanggun Shrine Festival reenacted the general's departure. Provided by Yongsan-gu.

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) announced on the 28th that it will support the hosting of the “42nd General Nam Yi Shrine Festival” from the 29th of this month to the 2nd of next month to honor General Nam Yi’s spirit of patriotism.

The Shrine Festival will proceed in the following order: the beggar’s procession from October 29 to 31, the eve ceremony (October 31, 5?7 PM), the flower lantern parade (October 31, 6?8 PM), the shrine ritual (November 1, 10?11 AM), the general’s march (November 1, 11:30 AM?1:30 PM), the shrine ritual performance (November 1, 11 AM?5 PM), and the thanksgiving ritual (November 2, 10 AM).

The beggar’s troupe goes door to door playing traditional percussion instruments to raise funds for the ritual expenses used in the shrine ritual and the ritual performance. Residents offer money and grains, placing skeins of thread equal to the number of family members to pray for household peace. In modern times, this serves as a pre-event to announce the Shrine Festival.

The flower lantern parade involves about 100 lanterns receiving lotus flowers from the nearby Buguandang in Sancheon-dong (7 Hyochangwon-ro 15-gil). The Buguandang in Sancheon-dong enshrines General Nam Yi’s first wife. The eve ceremony is held at General Nam Yi’s shrine (88-10 Hyochangwon-ro) and its surroundings (near Yongmun Market and Yongmun-dong Saemaeul Geumgo). Traditional percussion groups, residents, and art troupes participate together.

The shrine ritual is a memorial service to honor the loyalty and achievements of the general and to pray for the well-being of residents and the village. It is held annually on the 1st day of the 10th lunar month at General Nam Yi’s shrine. The highlight of the Shrine Festival is the general’s march, which reenacts General Nam Yi riding out on horseback with his troops to suppress the Jurchen tribes. It is said that General Nam Yi trained his troops near Samgakji in Yongsan.

The route is from General Nam Yi’s shrine → entrance of Hyochang Park → main gate of Sookmyung Women’s University → Sookdaeipgu Station → Shinkwang Elementary School → in front of Yongsan Police Station → Kkum Namu Complex Town → Wonhyo-ro 2-ga intersection → back to General Nam Yi’s shrine. Leading the procession is the preservation society flag, followed by nearly 200 participants including flag bearers, daechwita (traditional military band), commander’s flag, general, deputy commander, spirit flags, soldiers, and lanterns.

The shrine ritual performance is a 12-station ritual to console the spirit of the general who was unjustly executed. This year, for the first time, Master Han Young-seo, a holder of the intangible cultural heritage of Seoul No. 20 and a specialist in General Nam Yi’s shrine ritual performance, will conduct the ritual. Master Han took over as ritual leader after the passing of Lee Myung-ok, who previously held the position.

The 12 stations consist of Gamangcheongbae, Bugun Station, Shinjang Station, Mugam, Hogu Station, Balmyung Station, Josang Station, Sangsan Station, Byeolsang Station, Daegam Station, Changbu Station, Jaeseok Station, Gunwoong Station, Hwangje Pul-i, and the Rear Station in order. While the ritual performance is held, noodles and drinks are served below the shrine to promote community harmony.

The scene during the ritual at the 41st Namijanggun Sadangje held last year. Provided by Yongsan-gu.

The thanksgiving ritual is held the day after the ritual performance. It carries the meaning of apologizing for disturbing the shrine. The ritual food is shared among residents in a communal feast.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “The General Nam Yi Shrine Festival is a valuable event where residents come together to create a village ritual that has largely disappeared in modern times,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to inherit and develop Yongsan’s unique local culture.”

The General Nam Yi Shrine Festival is estimated to have been held for about 300 years. It was suspended for over 10 years after the 1972 ritual performance. Restoration began in 1982 following a survey report on Seoul’s shrine rituals, and by 1983 it had established the current format. The event is organized by the General Nam Yi Shrine Festival Preservation Society.