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| Traditional holiday games in Korea |
| Korean games have been very important in agriculture for a long time, there are a lot of games played that are wishes for abundance in farming and fishing. As every season comes, they bring their holidays, and with the holiday, come the traditional games. Besides the seasons, each province had their own games. We would like to introduce to you some of the favorites in Korea. |
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Yutnori
People of all ages and both sexes can enjoy Yutnori together. This game was played during the new years holiday (first day of month to 15th). Yutnori is played with family and neighbors in a village joining together. Four small sticks with a flat side are used. They are thrown; the number is counted of the number of sticks on the flat side, and the number on the rounded side. Checkers are used to mark the position of pieces on a board. The checkers are moved according to the number counted. Yutnori is a fun and easy game to play. It will turn old men into little boys.
Neolttwigi
Neol means big plank. Neolttwigi is most popular with girls. They play it on Jeongcho (new years day), Dano (fifth of fifth month in lunar calendar) and Hangawi (fifteenth of Aug. in lunar calendar). This is the standing teeter-totter. One girl jumps on the board and forces her friend in the air. Turns are taken with each jump with each girl sailing higher and higher in the air. There is a belief that, 'if you don't play Neolttwigi in New Years day, then you will receive a thorn in your heart.
Ssireum
Ssireum is a game for men. The way to play Ssireum is use a band tied around the player¡¯s waist and thigh. H the band is held at the waist and leg thigh band each other. The game begins with the men kneeling on the ground. When it begins, Ssireum both of men stands together and then uses techniques and power until one falls down. This game is usually played on the sand (circle place with sand in it). In the past, the winner would get a cow. Ssireum plays on 15th of Aug. (lunar calendar), Dano and other holidays but certainly 15th of July (lunar calender) most people play Ssireum.
Jegichagi
Jegichag is a childrens game. Jegi means ¡°the thing that play with¡± and chagi means, ¡°kick¡±. Jegi is played with Korean paper (Hanji) and a brass coin. The coin is put in the middle of the paper. You tie the top of the paper, and the cut the bottom. Jegichagi has techniques that use both legs, one leg only and back way to kick. We can play this game with more than 2 people. Count the times that you kicked Jegi, winner should be the most kicked the Jegi.
Jwibulnori
Right before the 15th of Jan. (lunar calendar) which will be 14th, we use cans with lot of holes in them and put small pieces wood inside to burn. A wire is tied to the edge of the can and the wood set on fire. Holding the can by the wire, it is slung around in the air. This game was used for burning the dried grass and to keep out mice and insects. Each town had competitions to see who could build the biggest fire. That is why we play Jwibulnori.
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| 25-09-2001 |
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