culture

National intangible cultural heritage elements were newly registered in August.

Custom of moving into new house

It is a traditional custom of the Korean people which has been passed on since olden times that when a new house is built, not only neighbours but also all villagers turn out to help with construction with sincerity and when a family moves into a new house, the whole village helps it with pleasure regarding it as their own.

In the past historical periods moving into new houses took place with one or two houses as a unit.

Houses were generally built in the leisure season for farmers and families usually moved into new houses before and after the busy farming seasons. And it was customary that neighbours helped and congratulated each other at that time.

The custom of giving matches to the family that moved into new house originated from that of giving flint. So it has a very long history.

In the past, fire was regarded as a source of warming the house, cooking food and lighting the house and at the same time a symbol of strength that exorcises the evil spirit among the Korean people. Therefore, giving flint to the family moving into new house not only had a practical meaning as a tool to spark a fire but also expressed the wish that the family affairs would thrive and go well like the roaring flames.

The custom derived from such an idea can be said to have been replaced by that of bringing matches with the advent of them in modern times.

Gourds or noodles were also given to the families moving into new houses as a token of their sincere hope that their family life would grow rich like scooping rice with a gourd and their wish that they would live a long life like the strips of noodles.

In the great golden age of construction in the DPRK new streets and modern residential districts have mushroomed throughout the country in recent years, with pleasant scenes of moving into new houses unfolding everywhere.

Now it has become an etiquette for the neighbours, relatives and colleagues to help the families carry household goods and give them anything needed for their life in the new houses, such as boxes of matches and gourds, on the day of moving into new houses according to the traditional custom. They also hold a cheerful dance and take photos against the background of new houses and new streets.

The custom of moving into new houses which has continuously been passed on is being expanded and encouraged while supplemented with new contents.

Custom of using songi mushroom from Mt Chilbo

The custom of using songi mushroom from Mt Chilbo is a unique and excellent custom of the DPRK which was formed and developed in the course of picking the mushroom growing in a large amount in Mt Chilbo and using it for the diet.

Belonging to Tricholomataceae, songi mushroom has the meaning that the mushroom grows in pine forests.

It widely grows in the granite areas under 800 metres above sea level in the DPRK, a world-renowned songi mushroom producer. Of them Mt Chilbo in North Hamgyong Province is well known for the rich resources of the mushroom.

Among songi mushrooms that of Mt Chilbo is famous in the world. Because the natural, geographical and climatic conditions in the area are very favourable for the growth of the mushroom and its nutritive value and medicinal effect are very higher than those that grow in other regions.

The custom of using songi mushroom from Mt Chilbo consists of its collection, sorting and grading, using and storing and others.

Reportedly, many people from all parts of the country as well as the inhabitants of the Mt Chilbo area flocked to pick the mushroom from July to October every year and in the course of it the custom was formed and known throughout the country and now it has become well known to the whole world.

Songi mushroom has been used as food for a long time, but written records related to it date back to the period of Koryo Kingdom (918-1392). The historical records tell about the cooking methods and remedies using songi mushroom including the one saying that songi mushroom tastes good when eaten in the morning and it gives out the sweet fragrance of Poria.

The people in the Mt Chilbo area are very proud of songi mushroom, a speciality of their place. Still they collect, sort, use and store the mushroom in a traditional way and follow the custom of using the mushroom from Mt Chilbo through generations.