An Ethnographic Study of Munjung and Chinjok-kye : A case study of Sedungri, Jindo Island

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the differences of Munjung, the most important kin group of Korea and Chinjok-kye, economic association for ancestor worship by analysing Sije. The raw data for this study come from my fieldwork in Sedungri, a village which have patrilineal descent group in Jindo Island.BR The findings of this study can be drawn as follow.BR Munjung is well known as the most essential organization of Korean lineage. Most studies of Korean kinship have regarded Munjung and Chinjok-kye as being the same kinds of kin groups but having the difference only in organizational degree. That is, as far Chinjok-kye is understood as pre-stage of Munjung. It means that Munjung is evolved from Chinjok-kye. However, I find that Munjung and Chinjok-kye are different kinds of kin groups in Sedungri, Munjung is political kin group which is organized being based on famous ancestor. and taking over dominant social status and employing political power. In contrast to Munjung, Chinjok-kye is economic association which support Munjung and its social superiority.BR Sije is one of the most important ancestor worship in Korea. It is for ancestors above fifth generations and graveside rite in principle. However Sije is performed at ancestor worship halls in Sedungri. There are many ancestor worship halls. Each ancestors are worshiped in one of these halls.BR Munjung takes the form of an onion, that is, smaller segments are nested in a large one. Large Munjung and small Munjungs are subject of ancestor worships performed at all ancestor worship halls. But every ancestor worship halls has their own financial supporters. Chinjok-kye has financial role in performing Sije. There are many Chinjok-kyes in Sedungri and support Munjung to perform rituals.BR Munjung and Chinjok-kye are different in their structure. Munjung is ritual and symbolic kin group which comprised of founding ancestor and his all descents. But Chinjok-kye is comprised of only living descents. Munjung is segmented to smaller Munjung, but Chinjok-kye is not segmented only newly composed.