A foreign family experiences rinsing their hair with water boiled with calamus roots at Ochondaek inside the National Museum of Korean Folklore in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of June 5, just five days before the traditional Dan-oh holiday. This custom, practiced since ancient times, is believed to ward off bad spirits and maintain healthy hair during the hot summer solstice.
SEOUL, Jun. 5 (Korea Bizwire) –As the Dano holiday (June 10) approaches, the National Folk Museum of Korea has announced a special event titled “The Beginning of Summer: Dano” to introduce traditional seasonal customs.
Dano, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, was historically known as “Jungo” (重午), “Cheonjungjeol” (天中節), or “Suritnal.” Recognized as a major holiday, it marks the day when yang energy is believed to be at its peak during the year.
Numerous folk customs aimed at warding off evil spirits or seeking blessings have long been associated with Dano, which was designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage last year.
On June 5, visitors to Ochondaek, a traditional house on the museum grounds, can witness the tradition of rinsing hair with water boiled with calamus roots. Calamus, a readily available plant in Korea, was believed to prevent hair from turning gray prematurely and repel evil spirits when used for hair washing with its roots.
An international student rinses her hair with water boiled with calamus roots at Ochondaek, a facility within the National Folk Museum in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of June 5, just five days before the traditional Dan-o holiday.
On Dano itself, June 10, the museum will offer opportunities to experience making Dano fans and talismanic stamps. Visitors can also partake in sharing and eating suritteokk (rice cakes with mugwort), and enjoy traditional dance performances.
At the Children’s Museum, a hands-on activity will allow young participants to create fans woven from straw similar to those once used by farmers.
Image credit: The National Folk Museum of Korea , Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
