Various Jeonbuk-style Pangut Stages Plus Gangneung Nongak from Yeongdong Province!

Exciteful Pungmul Stages for Five Days of Sori Festival Period

Nongak (lit. farmers’ music) that has been traditionally performed to pray for the harmony, prosperity, and peacefulness of the village community became developed into Korea’s representative performing art genre. Nongak is a synthetic art from in which performers march or act while playing percussive instruments such as kkwaenggwari, jing, janggu, buk, sogo, etc.. The ensemble-format, rhythm, play style, costumes of nongak bands vary from village to village. It was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in November 2014.

During the 2024 Jeonju International Sori Festival period, a variety of pangut (lit. field for ritual-like performance) sub-styles from Jeonbuk Province will be performed. The audience will be able to meet Honam-udo nongak (from Iri and Gochang), Jeolla-jwado nongak (from Jinan), Baekjungnori (also known as Jeonju-gijeopnori) plus Gangneung Nongak from Yeongdong Province (i.e., the eastern part of Gangwon-do region). During the five days of Sori Featival, let us experience the excitement and beauty of traditional arts through enjoying this “pungmulgut (lit. percussive music-ritual) fever” performances that symbolize harmony, unity, and enthusiasm.

Gochang Nongak Pangut

Gochang Nongak, included in Honam-udo nongak, inherits the lineage of Yeongmujang (Yeonggwang and Mujang area) Nongak developed around the region of Yeonggwang, Gochang (Mujang), Jangseong, and Hampyeong. Due to the fact that Gochang is located at the center of Honam-udo nongak area, Gochang nongak is reputed as being “well-seasoned,” and characterized by its “dawding” body-guesters, tasteful jangdan patterns, and fancy footwork. “Pangut” of Gochang Nongak that begins with Ipjanggut (entering/initiating performance) is followed by four subsequental sections of ochajilgutmadang, obangjinmadang, hoheogutmadang, and gujeongnorimadang in which instrumentalists’ skillfulness as well as playful movements of 12 jabsaek (acting and dancing characters) can be watched. Pangut, the closing part of festivity, offers an arena for communal excitement. It is one of the most beloved nongak forms in modern days.