The Committee,
- Takes note that the Republic of Korea has nominated Ganggangsullae for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, described as follows:
Ganggangsullae is a seasonal harvest and fertility ritual popular in the south-western part of the Republic of Korea, performed primarily on Korea’s Thanksgiving in the eighth lunar month. Under a bright full moon, dozens of young, unmarried village women gather in a circle, join hands and sing and dance all night under the direction of a lead singer. During interludes, the women playfully mime vignettes reflecting life in a farm or fishing village, including treading on roof tiles, unrolling a mat, catching a mouse or tying herrings. The dance takes its name from the refrain repeated after each verse, although the exact meaning of the word is unknown. Once a rare break from restrictive rules governing the behaviour of rural young women who were not allowed to sing aloud or go out at night, except during the Chuseok Thanksgiving celebration, the ritual is mostly preserved today by middle-aged women in cities and taught as part of the music curriculum of elementary schools. Now practised as a performing art throughout Korea, it can be seen as a representative Korean folk art. It is an important hereditary custom drawn from the rice culture that pervaded daily life in the countryside. The easy tunes and movements can be learned quickly for this communal practice that contributes to harmony, equality and friendship among the women dancers.
- Decides that, from the information provided in Nomination File 00188, Ganggangsullae satisfies the criteria for inscription on the Representative List, as follows:
R.1: Ganggangsullae offers its practitioners a sense of identity and provides a channel of free expression for the women who have been passing it on from generation to generation;
R.2: The inscription of Ganggangsullae on the Representative List would give an example of intangible heritage as a resource for the invigoration of friendly and harmonic bonds between human beings and would promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity while encouraging continuity among practitioners;
R.3: Various safeguarding measures propose that national institutes of culture, universities and private organizations act jointly to guarantee protection and promotion of the element;
R.4: The element has been nominated with the involvement of the practitioners and skill holders who have given their free, prior and informed consent through a signed letter of consent;
R.5: The element is designated as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division of the Cultural Heritage Administration.
- Inscribes Ganggangsullae on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.