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National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Yeongsan Juldarigi (Tug-of-war of Yeongsan)

영산줄다리기 ( 靈山줄다리기 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Intangible Cultural Heritage
Name of Cultural Properties Yeongsan Juldarigi (Tug-of-war of Yeongsan)
Quantity
Designated Date 1969.02.11
Age
Address Gyeongsangnam-do

For the event, the village is divided into two teams: the East Team (symbolizing males) and the West Team (symbolizing females). The village will reportedly enjoy better harvest in the year if the West Team (females giving birth to children) wins. The tug-of-war is also called galjeon, which is associated with the use of arrowroot vines for the rope. The event had been handed down as a rite held in farming provinces south of the central area of the country. At present, it is performed as part of the March 1 Cultural Festival. The rope used for the event is 40 - 50m long. The diameter of the main section of the straw rope made in a year comes to larger than 1m; if you sit down on it, your legs do not touch the ground. Many thinner straw ropes are tied to the main section for people to tug. Each team makes its own rope, with the two ropes connected right before the event. The leaders of the two teams stand on the main section of the rope to give the necessary signals. Farmers’ music is played joyously to cheer for the people. The event is a rite held to pray for good harvest and build a spirit of collaboration among villagers based on the belief associated with dragon and snake.