Villagers’ agency in the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation of a Korean village ritual

Abstract

This paper examines how the villagers of Pamsŏm village in Seoul acted as agents in configuring their own cultural identity which explores issues concerning Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) designation system. It delves in detail how villagers practice their ritual of Pamsŏm Pugundang kut 굿 amidst the complex process of continuity and change as a way of sustaining and promoting collective village identity. By examining the implications of this cultural practices in contemporary society, this paper ultimately raises the question of who constitutes the true legatee of traditional culture of Pamsŏm village. The cultural practice of the Pamsŏm Pugundang kut carried out by the villagers of Pamsŏm can be interpreted not merely as a critique of the dynamics of political and cultural heritage, but the reconstruction of villager’s identity through the creation and continuation of their long village history. This study provides a useful case in examining a village community which describes in detail how the subject of this study constructs their cultural identity and faces the complex issues concerning Korea’s ICH designation system.