Gayajin Yongshinje Ritual to Be Held in a Scaled-Down Format on April 6
Focus on the Main Ceremony and Traditional Experiences Only
Yangsan City, Gyeongnam will hold the Gayajin Yongshinje Ritual at the Gayajin Shrine area in Wondong-myeon, Yangsan, starting at 11 a.m. on the 6th. The event will be hosted by the Gayajin Yongshinje Preservation Association (President Kim Jingyu).
The 'Yangsan Gayajin Yongshinje' is the only surviving state ritual of the Joseon Dynasty classified as Jungsa (middle-level ritual). Since the Joseon era, state rituals have been conducted at Gayajin in Yangsan, which was regarded as a sacred waterway, making this an important intangible heritage.
In particular, after the abolition of the Joseon shrine system in 1908, most state rituals disappeared. However, despite oppression during the Japanese colonial period and the great Nakdong River flood of 1936, the determination of Wondong-myeon residents has kept the tradition alive to this day.
Recognized for its value, it was designated as Gyeongnam Province Folk Material and Intangible Heritage in 1997 and continues to be passed down. It is currently awaiting designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Since 2023, Yangsan City has been working to elevate the 'Yangsan Gayajin Yongshinje' to National Intangible Cultural Heritage status. In January 2024, it was selected for the national designation review, and the National Heritage Administration completed its on-site inspection in October.
The Gayajin Yongshinje was traditionally held on the first Jeongil (day of the heavenly stem 'Jeong') of the third lunar month according to Confucian customs. However, since 2016, the ritual has been held on the first Sunday of April.
Until now, the event was held together with the Intangible Heritage Festival, but this year, in mourning for victims of recent simultaneous wildfires across the country, the event will be scaled down. Pre- and post-ceremony performances have been canceled, and the focus will be on the Gayajin Yongshinje ritual and traditional experiences.
An official from Yangsan City stated, "This ritual is an important ceremony to pray to the Gayajin guardian deity, Yongshin, for rain and national peace and security. It will be an opportunity to reflect on its value as a national heritage."
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