Nongak | South Korea

These three postcards are from my private collection. Unfortunately they are not posted, but I really like the pictures which give me a glimpse to some of Korea's traditions.The first postcard is showing five beautiful traditional dancers in front of the 10 storey pagoda in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung (Hangul: 경복궁; hanja: 景福宫), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.

In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan. Since then, the walled palace complex is gradually being reconstructed to its original form. Today, the palace is arguably regarded as being the most beautiful and grandest of all five palaces. It also houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum within the premises of the complex. [wikipedia]

The second postcard is showing a traditional Korean farmers dance. The Farmer's Dance, or nongak (pronounced NOHNG-ock), is one of the oldest dance forms in Korea. Originating in the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.E. - 668 C.E.), the Farmer's Dance was traditionally performed during planting, harvesting, and other agricultural events. Early records mention Korean farmers working to the beat of percussion instruments. Until recently, the dance was performed in the rural areas, in particular during the planting and harvesting, to give encouragement to the farmers and to provide them with a beat to work by. It was also often performed as a part of shamanistic rituals to protect houses from thieves and fire, to purify the village, and to give thanks to the river or mountain spirits. [Asia Society]

The third postcard is showing two girls in traditional costumes using a traditional Korean wooden mortar.