Daeboreum (대보름 in Hangul) interprets to “The Nice Moon” or “The Nice Full Moon” in English. Because the identify entails, it’s a celebration devoted to the total moon in Korea.
Particularly, 대보름 (daeboreum) is a Korean vacation that celebrates the very first full moon of the brand new yr underneath the lunar calendar. Daeboreum is the Korean model of China’s First Full Moon Pageant.
When is Daeboreum?
Daeboreum is well known on the fifteenth day of the lunar new yr annually. It normally takes place in February, however the particular date annually adjustments accordingly to the beginning of the lunar new yr.
For instance, in 2021, it was celebrated on February 26. In 2022, it was celebrated on February 15, and in 2023 it’s celebrated on February 5. Typically you could hear the celebration be known as “The Nice Fifteenth” as effectively.
How is Daeboreum celebrated?
Historically within the Korean tradition, many customs and traditions are executed to rejoice Daeboreum.
A very long time in the past, farmers would burn the dry grass you’ll find on the ridges between rice fields the night time earlier than 대보름 (daeboreum). This practice got here to fruition as an act to eliminate bugs and mice which can in any other case harm crops within the yr to come back.
달집 (daljip)
In the present day this tradition now not appears to happen. Nevertheless, setting one thing on hearth has remained a symbolic facet of the Daeboreum vacation, generally within the type of bonfires. These bonfires are referred to as 달집 (daljip).
Particularly, the custom of lighting a bonfire on hearth known as 달집태우기 (daljiptaeugi). This is likely one of the central methods by which Daeboreum is well known by the crowds. These bonfires are in-built a triangular form, with the intention being to construct a “home” of types for the moon.
In any case, the literal translation of 달집 is “moon home” or “home of the moon”. There’s even a small door set on the east facet of the bonfire!
지신밟기 (jisinbalgi)
The bonfire is about to burn as soon as the moon rises. Because it burns, a ritual going by the identify 지신밟기 (jisinbalgi) is completed across the bonfire, with individuals stomping their toes on the bottom. By means of this ritual, individuals believed its objective is to scare away any potential evil spirits and produce luck.
쥐불놀이 (jwibulnori)
For youngsters, one of the vital enjoyable methods to rejoice the vacation is with the standard sport, 쥐불놀이 (jwibulnori).
In jwibulnori, charcoal fires are set inside tin cans the night time earlier than Daeboreum. They’re hooked up to strings, that are then flung round. This practice, too, is believed to help in getting an excellent crop that yr and offers youngsters the uncommon alternative to form of play with hearth.
달맞이 (dalmaji)
And, after all, as a result of Koreans like to hike, climbing can also be a well-liked exercise on Daeboreum. It even has its personal identify, 달맞이 (dalmaji). With a view to see the primary full moon of the yr rise, Koreans will hike up mountains – or different excessive locations – for the perfect view.
For instance, in Busan’s Haeundae neighborhood, you’ll find a spot referred to as Dalmaji-gil, which is a bit of highway extremely common as a full moon viewing spot.
Different celebrations
Lighting up lanterns has additionally been documented to have been part of Daeboreum celebrations for the reason that occasions of the Joseon Dynasty already.
Total, most of the customs and traditions for this vacation revolve across the want of getting a wonderful harvest on the finish of the farming season. Trendy Koreans have remained enthusiastic about celebrating these customs even when although the nation is now not as agricultural because it as soon as was.
There’s additionally a competition devoted to Daeboreum hosted on Jeju Island annually, in addition to a Hearth Pageant held in Busan.
Jeongwol Daeboreum Hearth Pageant in Busan
Jeongwol Daeboreum (정월 대보름) refers back to the competition that takes place on Daeboreum and celebrates it. Throughout it, loads of conventional customs are executed as individuals want for a flourishing yr. As a result of hearth facet, the federal government truly forbade the celebrations for a while in the course of the Seventies.
Nevertheless, the competition celebrations throughout Jeongwol Daeboreum remained so common amongst Koreans that within the late Nineties, it was reinstated. In the present day it’s celebrated in quite a few places round Korea, with Busan being one notable location.
Normally, if you’re in Busan or need to head that manner for Jeongwol Daeboreum celebrations, the perfect actions will be discovered at Haeundae Seashore, Gwanganli Seashore, Songdo Seashore, and Baekunpo Sports activities Park.
All of them will set a daljip ablaze on the applicable time, in addition to provide different enjoyable issues to do, like flying kites or tug of battle. There may even be conventional performances to marvel at. And, at Baekunpo Sports activities Park, you may even see the jisinbalgi ritual in motion!
That are the meals eaten throughout Daeboreum?
Identical to many different holidays in Korea, large or small, there are particular meals persons are accustomed to consuming on the day. Within the case of 대보름 (daeboreum), the next meals are particularly common to eat.
오곡밥 (ogokbap), five-grain rice
Very first thing on the morning of Daeboreum, individuals eat this five-grain rice dish, which consists of rice, millet, and Indian millet, in addition to black beans and purple beans. This meals is usually served along with dried herbs. Some Koreans might also eat it along with eggplants and squash.
부럼 (bureom), assorted nuts
Additionally eaten within the morning, that is extra of a snack moderately than a full meal. Koreans crack nuts of various sorts to eat on 대보름 morning comparable to chestnuts, peanuts, ginkgo nuts, pine nuts, and walnuts. That is maybe the most well-liked Korean meals to devour on Daeboreum.
귀밝이술 (gwibalgisul)
Whereas munching on these assorted nuts, Koreans will drink 귀밝이술 (gwibalgisul), which accurately interprets as “ear clearing wine” or “ear sharpening wine.” It was thought prior to now that this wine would enhance one’s listening to and likewise hold ear aches away. Additionally, it’s believed that each one yr spherical, you’ll solely hear excellent news in case you drink this.
How true that turned out to be, we’re unsure, however the customized nonetheless stays in existence right now.
인절미 (injeolmi)
These scrumptious rice desserts are made out of steaming glutinous rice. The rice is steamed after which crushed till it’s reached a sticky consistency. It’s then reduce into small square-shaped items, that are lined in bean flour earlier than serving.
약식 (yaksik)
Lastly, one other particular dish sometimes eaten on the vacation is yaksik, made with glutinous rice, in addition to chestnuts, honey, pine nuts, sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It may be served in a bowl, in a type much like cake, or in smaller bite-size items.
Does your nation have an identical vacation to the Korean Daeboreum? Would you prefer to expertise this in individual sooner or later? Tell us within the feedback under! Be taught extra about Korean holidays and different elements of Korean tradition on our weblog subsequent. Korea has so many attention-grabbing holidays, comparable to Nationwide Basis Day!
