Chungnam Province Operates "Folk Experience Class Visiting Schools" Program

Education Program on Erecting Byeotgaritdae
for Elementary Students in Seosan and Taean Regions

On June 18, Chungnam Province and the Chungnam Institute of History and Culture announced that they had operated the "Byeotgaritdae Folk Experience Class Visiting Schools" program for elementary school students in the Seosan and Taean regions.

Byeotgaritdae is a folk tradition in which pouches of five grains are hung on a tall pole and erected in a well or yard during Jeongwol Daeboreum (the first full moon of the lunar year) to pray for a bountiful harvest.

This experience class was held six times at three schools, including Buseong Elementary School in Seosan, with a total of 155 students participating.

The program consisted of a lecture introducing the Byeotgaritdae folk tradition, as well as hands-on activities where students twisted straw ropes and used bamboo and five grains to make Byeotgaritdae models and egg bundles.

The province also plans to operate other programs, such as a "1 Night 2 Days Byeotgaritdae Village Experience Program," between August and October.

A provincial official stated, "We will take the lead in revitalizing the transmission of intangible heritage so that it is not forgotten or lost," adding, "We will continue to create opportunities to introduce the province's excellent and unique intangible heritage to local residents."

Meanwhile, since 2023 and through last year, Chungnam Province has published documentary books, held academic conferences, produced educational and promotional videos, and organized meetings and forums among transmission villages to verify and uncover the value of the Byeotgaritdae folk tradition.