Gangneung Danoje Festival

In any discourse about the Gangneung Danoje Festival, Daegwallyeong is invariably mentioned first. 

Through the vicissitudes of the ages, this mountain ridge has stood as a stalwart guardian over the hearts of the people in the Yeongdong (East of the Mountains) region of Gangwon-do. 

Our forebears believed that Gangneung and its inhabitants were protected by gods within the sacred and mighty Daegwallyeong, for whose communion they engaged in a joyful celebration to express their gratitude.

The Gangneung Danoje Festival is often heralded as the “Millennium Festival.” 

According to the History of Goryeo, in 935, during the reign of Taejo, a general who aided the king in vanquishing enemy forces performed a ritual at Daegwallyeong prior to achieving a pivotal victory. 

This episode, the earliest documented instance of the Gangneung Danoje establishes its reputation as a millenary festival.

As previously noted, the Gangneung Danoje Festival serves as a jubilant celebration venerating Gangneung’s tutelary deities. 

At the heart of this reverence is the State Preceptor God (Guksa Seonghwangsin) and the State Preceptor Goddess (Guksa Yeoseonghwangsin), both historical figures revered by the people of Gangneung. 

The State Preceptor, Beomil, is renowned for his significant contributions to the spread of Seon (Zen) Buddhism, Korea’s most prevalent Buddhist sect.

Legend holds that he was born to a maiden from Haksan village in Gangneung, who conceived him after drinking water from the Seokcheon spring?an event commemorated by the still-existing Haksan village and Seokcheon well in Gangneung. 

The story of the State Preceptor Goddess, known as Lady Jeong, involves her tragic estrangement from her father after being captured by a tiger sent by State Preceptor Beomil.

The reasons these two divine guardians of Gangneung are revered lie in stark contrast with each other: one is celebrated for his outstanding achievements, while the other is remembered for her tragic fate. 

This symbolizes the spirit of the Gangneung Danoje in that it demonstrates the community’s warm-hearted empathy for an ordinary person who suffered misfortune as well as their respect for a great figure they can rely on. 

This blend of respect and empathy renders the Gangneung Danoje a truly unique festival. 

The Gangneung Danoje Festival begins with the preparation of sinju, or “sacred liquor,” made for the deities that protect the community. 

Sinju is crafted from rice, known as sinjumi, which was donated by the residents of Gangneung as an expression of their wishes. 

In 2023, approximately 6,000 households contributed sinjumi, amounting to a total of 20 tons. 

Contributors receive vouchers that can be exchanged for a bottle of the special brew during the festival. 

After brewing, a portion of the sinju is offered to the deities during rituals, while the remainder is shared with tourists throughout the festival. 

None of the sinju is available for purchase. 

It is regarded as a creation of both the tutelary deities and the devoted citizens of Gangneung ? a priceless drink imbued with spirituality and warmth.

The State Preceptor God and Goddess reside in separate locations throughout the year. 

However, as the Gangneung Danoje Festival approaches and the brewing of sinju begins, the spirit tablet symbolizing the State Preceptor God is moved to the abode of the State Preceptor Goddess. 

Upon onset of the festival, the tablets representing the State Preceptor couple are transferred in a vibrant “deity-welcoming parade” called Yeongsin Haengcha to an altar set up for the Danoje. 

Numerous residents join this procession, carrying Dano lanterns to honor and welcome the divine spirits.

The Yeongsin Haengcha is immediately followed by the Sintongdaegil parade, which features dynamic street 

performances depicting each village’s legends or specialties. Villagers contribute creative ideas, make props, and participate in these performances. 

Recognized as the essence of Korean street performance, the Sintongdaegil parade, together with the Yeongsin Haengcha, attracts over 

50,000 spectators annually. 

The arrival of these parades at the festival venue is celebrated with welcoming songs, and the festival is officially commenced with the enshrinement of the State Preceptor God and Goddess at the Danoje altar.

The Gangneung Danoje Festival unfolds over eight days with an array of more than seventy programs, including a variety of rituals dedicated to the deities, highcaliberperformances by both domestic and international artists, local artist extravaganzas, traditional Korean folk games, and a cultural village where visitors can immerse themselves in the seasonal customs of Dano.

Among the festival’s highlights are the Gwanno (government slaves) Mask Drama, Dano gut rituals, and the vibrant nanjang open-air market. 

The Gwanno Mask Drama is a signature theatrical performance, with a cast that includes yangban gwangdae (“noble clown”), somaegaksi (“young lady”), two jangjamari (“sack wearers”),and two sisittakttagi (“meddlers”). 

The plot revolves around the romantic entanglements, misunderstandings, and eventual reconciliation between Yangban Gwangdae and Somaegaksi. 

Performed entirely through body language, this drama transcends language and age barriers, making it universally enjoyable.

Another highlight of the Gangneung Danoje is the Dano gut rituals, which are shamanic ceremonies designed to welcome and honor the spirits. 

The festival features over twenty different types of gut rituals ? each accompanied by sincere wishes and prayers ? including those for household ancestors and their descendants as well as for comforting the deceased and warding off illnesses. 

Visitors often bring their worries and troubles for prayer and resolution when these Dano gut rituals are performed at the festival altar.

The unique nanjang open-air market is a popular attraction during the Gangneung Danoje. It ranks among the largest of its kind at any festival in Korea, attracting visitors and residents alike, day and night, with its wide variety of goods and food. 

In the past, married daughters who could rarely visit their parental homes would reunite with their mothers at the Dano nanjang. 

Though times have changed, the people of Gangneung still look forward to seeing familiar faces at this festive market.

Although Dano is celebrated across many regions in Korea, in 2005, it was the Gangneung Danoje festival, and not the Dano tradition itself, that was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, making it the first festival to be so recognized.

This honor serves as an acknowledgement of the festival’s unique identity as a ritualistic celebration of the community’s communion with its guardian deities. 

In addition, the dedication and passion of the people of Gangneung, who cherish and love the Gangneung Danoje, must have played a critical role in receiving this distinction.

In Gangneung, terms like “Dano outfit” and “Dano holiday” are still commonly used. 

Companies often provide bonuses for Dano and grant time off so employees can enjoy the festivities. 

It is also quite customary for schools to organize field trips or excursions to the Dano market.

The Gangneung Danoje festival attracts over 600,000 visitors every year. Though the festival presents many joyful moments, it can also be too crowded and chaotic. 

Nevertheless, for the people of Gangneung, the phrase “because it’s Dano” explains everything. 

They embrace and enjoy every situation simply because of this fact. 

Dano has naturally been a part of the lives of Gangneung residents since their childhood, and today, we say that Gangneung people have “Dano genes.” 

This intrinsic connection to Dano serves as the driving force behind the Gangneung Danoje. 

The theme for the Gangneung Danoje Festival in 2024, the Year of the Dragon, is “Soar, Dano,” and was chosen in the hope that both the people and the Gangneung Danoje Festival will soar like the dragon. 

Why not let the vibrant spirit and lively atmosphere of the Gangneung Danoje Festival captivate you? You are most welcome to join in.