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Chuseok (추석) is by far the biggest and most important holiday in Korea. It is a time when family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors for the abundant harvest.
This year (2011) Chuseok Day falls on Monday, September 12 (according to the lunar calendar) but the holiday is observed for a total of three days (Sept. 11 – Sept. 13). For internationals, Chuseok is a prime opportunity to go sightseeing in the major cities since many Koreans return to their hometowns in the countryside, leaving the city attractions relatively crowd-free. Visitors need note, however, that many places (especially stores and restaurants) may be closed for Chuseok Day or the entire Chuseok holiday.
Before we get into Chuseok events, let’s take a closer look at what Chuseok means to the average Korean. |
 Chuseok (Hangawi) |
Chuseok is one of Korea’s three major holidays, along with Seollal (New Year’s Day) and Dano (the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar year) and is also referred to as Hangawi (한가위), meaning “the ides of August” (August 15th according to the lunar calendar).
Hangawi/Chuseok was the day on which Koreans, an agrarian people throughout most of history, thanked their ancestors for the year’s harvest and shared their abundance with family and friends. Although the exact origin of Chuseok is unclear, the tradition can be traced back to ancient religious practices that centered around the significance of the moon. The sun’s presence was considered routine, but the full moon that came once a month, brightening the night sky, was considered a special and meaningful event. Therefore, harvest festivities took place on the day of the bright, full moon (Aug. 15 of the lunar year). |
| Chuseok Customs |
| On the morning of Chuseok Day, Songpyeon (a type of Korean rice cake) and food prepared with the year’s fresh harvest are set out to give thanks to ancestors through Charye (ancestor memorial service). After Charye, families visit their ancestors’ graves and engage in Beolcho, a ritual of clearing the weeds that may have grown up over the burial mound. After dusk, families and friends take walks and gaze at the beauty of the full harvest moon or play folk games such as Ganggangsullae (Korean circle dance). |
 - Charye (ancestor memorial services)
On Chuseok morning, family members gather at their homes to hold memorial services (called Charye, 차례) in honor of their ancestors. Formal Charye services are held twice a year: during Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) and Chuseok. The difference between the two services is that during Seollal the major representative food is white Tteokguk, a rice cake soup, while during Chuseok the major representative food is freshly harvested rice. After the service, family members sit down together at the table to enjoy delicious food that symbolizes their blessings. |
 - Beolcho (clearing the weeds around the grave) and Seongmyo (visiting ancestral graves)
Visiting ancestral graves during Chuseok is known as Seongmyo (성묘). During this visit, family members remove the weeds that have grown around the graves in the summer season, a practice which is called Beolcho (벌초). This custom is considered a duty and expression of devotion and respect for one’s family. On the weekends, about one month prior to the Chuseok holidays, Korea’s highways become extremely congested with families visiting their ancestral graves to fulfill their familial duties. The graves are then visited again during Chuseok. |
 - Ssireum (Korean wrestling)
Traditionally, during the Chuseok holidays the strongest people in each village gather together to hold wrestling competitions. During the match, two competitors face each other in the middle of a circular sandpit surrounded on all sides by cheering spectators. The last wrestler left standing after a series of competitions is considered the winner and is named the village’s strongest man, taking home cotton, rice, or a calf as his prize. Today, Ssireum (씨름, Korean wrestling) competitions are held around the time of Chuseok to determine the strongest man in Korea, but the competitions are not as big a part of the celebrations as they once were. |
 - Ganggangsullae (Korean circle dance)
In this dance, women dressed in Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) join hands in a circle and sing together. The dance dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) when the Korean army used to dress the young women of the village in military uniforms and had them circle the mountains to make enemy troops think the Korean military was greater in number than it actually was. The Korean army enjoyed many victories thanks in part to this scare tactic.
>> Click here to learn more about Ganggangsullae |
 - Chuseokbim (Chuseok dress)
In the past, in preparation for Chuseok, the head of each household would buy new clothes for everyone in the house, including the servants. This custom is known as Chuseokbim and is still practiced today. These days, however, most families purchase clothing from department stores or boutiques instead of exchanging Hanbok. |
| Chuseok Food |
| Chuseok celebrates the rich harvest season when fruit and grain are abundant. Using the newly harvested grains, people make steamed rice, rice cake, and liquor. |
 - Songpyeon
Songpyeon (송편) is one of the representative foods of Chuseok. This rice cake is prepared with rice or non-glutinous rice powder that is kneaded into the perfect size (a little smaller than a golf ball) then filled with sesame seeds, beans, red beans, chestnuts, and a host of other nutritious ingredients. When steaming the songpyeon, the rice cakes are layered with pine needles, adding the delightful fragrance of pine. On the eve of Chuseok, the entire family gathers together to make songpyeon under the bright moon. There is an old Korean saying that says that the person who makes the most beautiful songpyeon will meet a good-looking spouse, so all the single members of the family try their best to make the best one!
>> Click here to learn how to make Songpyeon |
 - Liquors
Another major element of Chuseok is traditional liquor called Baekju (백주, white wine). The holidays are a time of thankfulness and generosity and drinking is a way in which many Koreans show their generosity and affection for their fellow countrymen.
>> Go to Traditional Liquors and Wines |
 Recommended Places to Visit for the Chuseok Holidays
Those looking for traditional Chuseok events during the holidays are strongly advised to check out the programs going on at the ancient palaces, the Korean Folk Village, and the Namsangol Hanok Village from September 11 to 13.
Folk games, programs, and performances will be held at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace. From September 11 - 13, the palaces will even offer free admission to any guest wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). Free programs include traditional Korean games such as Neol-ttwigi (널뛰기, seesaw jumping), Tuho (투호던지기, arrow throwing), Jegi-chagi (제기차기, Korean hacky sack), and Paengi-chigi (팽이치기, top spinning).thanksgiving customs and provide visitors will even more chances to experience the seasonal customs. The Korean Folk Village, already well-known for its permanent programs and traditional crafts and games, will be expanding its programs even further during the Chuseok holidays. Programs include Nongak (farmers’ music), tight-roping walking, martial arts on horseback, North Korean Folk performances, and a reenactment of ancestral thanksgiving rituals. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at making Songpyeon, the representative Chuseok rice cake. Also among top 2011 Chuseok events is the ‘Hangawi Multi-Cultural Festival for World Citizens’ (Sept. 3 – 13) at the National Folk Museum. The festival is packed with cooking programs (Chuseok and international foods), folk performances, a multicultural exhibition, traditional craft programs, folk activities, and more. ☞ Related News - 2011 Chuseok Events at Korean Folk Village - National Folk Museum of Korea to Host Hangawi Multicultural Festival |
TIP!
During the holiday season, make sure to double-check the operation hours of your desired destinations, since most places of business are closed at some point during the Chuseok holidays. Folk event venues listed above and many major tourist attractions are open year-around. For more Chuseok holiday information, please check the following links.
2011 Chuseok Holiday Schedules at Major Tourist Sites & Shops
Special Chuseok Events at the KTO Headquarters |
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