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National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Ssireum (Traditional Korean Wrestling)

씨름 ( 씨름 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Intangible Cultural Heritage
Name of Cultural Properties Ssireum (Traditional Korean Wrestling)
Quantity
Designated Date 2017.01.04
Age
Address Repulic of Korea

Ssireum (Korean Wrestling) is a traditional Korean folk sport in which two wrestlers, each holding the other’s satba (belt), strive to beat their opponent by bringing his body to the ground. Based on the Korean people’s unique community culture, various forms of the sport have handed down until today. As a representative folk game of Korea, the historicity of ssireum has been clearly identified through diverse relics, documents, and paintings ranging from the ancient Three Kingdoms period to the modern era. In addition, the composition of the match and the techniques of ssireum express the uniqueness of Korean wrestling.