The Creation of Urban Village Rituals and Participant Groups: A Case Study of the Jangseung Ritual of Noryangjin, Seoul

Abstract

In this article, I observe how the historical memory of the past has been represented in the reconstruction of jangseung and the creation of the jangseung ritual in Noryangjin, Seoul. This article investigates how the jangseung ritual is perceived beyond the boundaries of the regional district and what its meaning translates to in the larger society. This study also examines the process of the invention of tradition through the creation and practice of the jangseung ritual. By revealing the conflict with Christians during its nascent practice, I also illuminate how the jangseung was perceived in modern society in Korea. In so doing, I explore the distribution of roles within participating groups and their relationships with each other in order to shed light on the significance of Noryangjins jangseung ritual.