Chuseok is a Korean harvest festival that takes place on the autumnal equinox, celebrating a bountiful harvest and expressing gratitude for farming. Some traditional Chuseok foods include songpyeon (rice cakes), chadolbaegi (sliced beef), and hangwa (traditional Korean sweets), which are often prepared for the occasion. Additionally, it’s common to wear hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing, which represents the beauty of Korean culture.
Furthermore, paying tribute to ancestors through a ritual called Charye is an essential part of Chuseok. Families prepare food offerings and set up an ancestral memorial table, showing respect and honor to their ancestors. This practice underscores the importance of family bonds and cultural connections in Korean culture.
In this week’s art class, we discussed Chuseok and engaged in art activities related to the festival. Students created lanterns inspired by the festival’s symbol, Cheongsachorong, incorporating traditional Korean patterns and colors. They also observed various Korean traditional masks, tried their hand at drawing one, and decorated mask forms with patterns and colors using paint to create their unique masks. Younger students drew scarecrows inspired by photos of Korean autumn landscapes, using painting techniques and stamping methods to depict autumn trees. They also crafted Jangseung, guardian figures made from tree carvings, to protect their villages.
I hope these activities have helped our students gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and traditions, fostering respect for cultural diversity and providing valuable experiences.
