One New Year's Day, one should eat ddeok-guk (rice cake soup) for good luck.
Children are told that they will not grow any older unless they eat their ddeok-guk.
The soup is made by diagonally slicing sausage shaped rice cakes into thin, oval
slices. The rice cake slices are soaked in water, then boiled in beef broth. The soup
is garnished with chives, seaweed, and egg.
Throughout the first month of the lunar calendar, villagers hold ceremonies
and events asking the spirits for fortune and peace in the coming year.
While some of the rites are performed only by females, others involve the
entire village, such as offerings to the Earth spirit.
On New Year's Day of the lunar calendar, after villagers have shown respect to
their family members and visited their ancestral tombs, they will gather to
enjoy a farmers band and pay respect and tribute to the Earth spirit.
First they will visit the home of the wealthiest villager who entertains them
with food and drink. All the village members then dance around the yard and
through the house and any other buildings on the property, singing songs to the
Earth spirit. The songs ask that the family and home be blessed with fortune and
prosperity in the coming year. Afterwards, they move on to the next house and
continue on until all the homes had been visited. If the Earth spirit is pleased
with these activities, he will endow the people with many rewards throughout the year.
Traditionally, people would stay awake on the night before New Year's Day. Records
indicate that the court held narye (exorcising ceremonies) to expel any
evil spirits. Ten dancers in Ch'oyong masks danced to a musical accompaniment.
In rural areas, a musical performance of nong-ak (farmers' music) was also
used to expel evil spirits and usher in good fortune.
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