VISIT JEJU

Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut (Spring Welcoming Ritual of Tamna)

A Festival in Jeju’s Wondoshim (Old city) to Welcome Spring

Period: Early February every year
Sponsor: Jeju People’s Artist Federation
Location: Jeju Mokgwana
[Main Events] Jeju-seong Mi-reuk-ko-sa, Chun-deung-geol-gung, Chun-gyeong-mun-gut, Ip-chun-gut, Nang-shwe-mo-ri

Jeju is the country of 18,000 heavenly gods. These heavenly gods are summoned by the great god of heaven and travel to heaven during “Shingugan.” In the old days, the people of Jeju believed that they should only move or repair their houses during “Shingugan” to avoid upsetting the gods. When it is time for gods to come back to Jeju Island after “Shingugan,” the shamans held a ritual to welcome the gods back. This ritual is called “Ip-chun Gut.” Back then, numerous shamans serving the guardian gods of each town would come together in Gwan-deok-jeong. Among these shamans, “Do-Hwang-Su,” the head shaman who was the most skilled at dancing and had the loudest, clearest voice in their prayers, was appointed on the day of ritual.

When the shamans vigorously dance to call on to the gods, the gods notice their call. They come back on the wind of Jeju through the gate the shamans opened for them.      

Ip-chun Gut is a grand festival to bring all people in Jeju together. It is one of the rarest occasions where the king and his subjects—during the Tamna dynasty—and the governor and the commoners—during the Joseon dynasty—are brought together. Even today, high officials and ordinary people are brought together during the festival to share good times. On the day when the Ip-chun Gut is held, the entrance of Mokgwanah, the Governor’s office building, was left open for public. Usually, commoners were only allowed in the Mokgwanah when they were being punished or—on rare occasions—rewarded. On the day of Ip-chun Gut, People were even allowed in Yeonheegak, which was the Governor’s office. Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut has historical significance in the sense that it inherits the culture and spirit of Jeju that has continued from ancient days of the Tamna dynasty. It is also described in many ancient literature works including Tamna-rok, which was written by Yu Won-jo in 1841. According to these historic records, in the Tamna dynasty, where the king himself was engaged in farming to promote agriculture, the ritual was held every year to wish for a good harvest.

During the Japanese Invasion, Ip-chun Gut was prohibited, thus destroying the spirituality of the people in Jeju. It was in 1999 that the ritual was brought back as “Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut Nori.” Then, the name was changed to “Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut” because of the claim that “nori,” which refers to amusement or spectacles, is already included in the term “gut,” a Korean word for exorcism ritual. The restoration process of Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut still continues today. The Jeju People’s Artist Federation, the host of the event, introduces it as “a new festival that revives the lost tradition of Ip-chun Gut in a modern sense.”

Since it is claimed to be a festival that brings back traditional culture, visitors are offered various activities as well as performances that introduce old customs. On the first day, the festival begins with a performance called Sa-ri-sal-seong, in which a ceramic pot is broken to ward off misfortune from Jeju. It continues with Ip-chun-hwi-ho, which is the act of creating a large calligraphy work, Se-gyong-je, which is a Confucian ceremony to wish for a good harvest, and a parade on Wondoshim’s street filled with spring lanterns and statues of Jeju’s heavenly gods. On the second day, the festival begins when Chun-gyeong-mun-gut, which is a ritual to ward off misfortune and wish for peace and well-being for the year, is held by shamans. These shamans tour around the public office buildings in Jeju including Jeju Provincial Government Office, Jeju Provincial Education Office, Jeju Provincial Council Office, and Jeju City Hall. Then, the festival proceeds with Nang-shwe-mo-ri, in which words of blessing are exchanged while carrying wooden cows, and Tal-gut Nori, special performances. It comes to an end with the final event of Nan-jang.  

Tamna-guk Ip-chun Gut Renewed Day by Day

Ip-chun Gut is held in two parts: Ip-chun Maji (welcoming onset of spring), which is like an opening ceremony, and Bon Gut, which is the main event. A simple ceremony is held for Ip-chun Maji, and then the spring lanterns are hung to pray for the success of Ip-chun Gut. Afterward, the main ceremony is underway. Everyone involved—hosting organizations, participants, and guests—comes together while the ceremony is led by Suh Sun-sil, the shaman.

Visitors are strongly recommended to taste “Ip-chun Cheon-nyang Guk-su (noodle),” which is the signature food eaten at Ip-chun Gut, as well as traditional dishes and snacks prepared by the Community Council of Samdo-2-dong. Some of the other popular activities include caricatures by artist Park, Jae-dong, wish card writing, fortunetelling by Yut, workshops to make Ip-chun Gut buttons, wooden cows, and traditional “tal” masks, and cultural lectures for Ip-chun Gut.  

[Main Events]
Yeol-lim Nan-jang, Jeju-seong Mi-reuk-ko-sa, Chun-deung-geol-gung, Se-gyeong-je, Nang-shwe-ko-sa, Chun-gyeong-mun-gut, Ip-chun-gut, Nang-shwe-mo-ri and Ip-chun Tal-gut Nori

[Activities]
Wish card writing, fortunetelling with Yut, workshops to make Ip-chun Gut buttons, wooden cows, and traditional “tal” masks, Ip-chun Gut cultural lectures, print workshop, rice cake making, and wish pot making  

The program may be subject to change without notice.

[Information]
No time limit while the festival is open
Age restriction: none
Free admission