Gumi Neo-Confucianism History Museum Reenacts "Gwallye and Gyerye" Ceremonies
Another Event Scheduled for the Second Half of the Year
"Becoming an adult by wearing a gat and inserting a binyeo"?the traditional coming-of-age ceremonies of the Joseon Dynasty, Gwallye and Gyerye, have been revived in Gumi, drawing attention.
In Gumi, Gyeongbuk, the traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, Gwallye and Gyerye, are being revived to reflect on the true meaning of adulthood.
On May 17, the Gumi Neo-Confucianism History Museum, in collaboration with the Yeungnam University HUSS Humanities and Social Digital Convergence Talent Training Project Group, hosted a reenactment of the traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, "Gwallye and Gyerye," in front of the museum's special exhibition hall.
About 50 citizens and visitors attended the event, demonstrating a high level of interest in traditional culture.
This event was organized to reenact the first of the four major rites of passage in a person's life?Gwanhonsangje (coming-of-age, marriage, funeral, and ancestral rites)?specifically, the coming-of-age ceremony (Gwallye and Gyerye), following traditional etiquette. The aim was to reflect on the responsibilities and etiquette associated with adulthood and to pass on the values of Confucian culture to future generations.
The ceremony included the Gwallye, in which a topknot is tied and a gat is placed on a young man, and the Gyerye, in which a woman's hair is styled in a chignon and a binyeo is inserted.
Following this, the procedures of receiving a courtesy name (ja) as a symbol of adulthood and learning to drink alcohol from elders were faithfully reenacted, providing participants with an opportunity not only to observe a traditional event but also to directly experience and connect with the meaning of adulthood.
A representative of the Gumi Neo-Confucianism History Museum stated, "Through the traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, which are gradually being forgotten in modern society, we hope to remind people of the responsibilities and etiquette of adulthood and to convey the spiritual value of traditional culture to the next generation." The representative also announced, "We plan to hold another such event in the second half of the year to allow more citizens and young people to participate."
Meanwhile, the Gumi Neo-Confucianism History Museum plans to continue serving as a hub for Confucian cultural education that connects the local community and future generations through a variety of traditional cultural content and experiential events.
In Gumi, Gyeongbuk, the traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, Gwallye and Gyerye, are being revived to reflect on the true meaning of adulthood.
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