Korean Mask Dancing
This year, selected Wilshire Park students will be learning the Korean mask dance. Korean mask dance dramas are captivating and entrancing. Comedy, tragedy, and social commentary meld with energetic dance, distinctive masks, and lively music.
Mask dances have been handed down under the name of T'alch'um, Sandae nori, Ogwangdae, and Yayu, each rooted in a different region.
During ancient times masks were believed to drive away malicious spirits, diseases, and fearsome animals. Their purposes were: first, to ward off all evils; second, to manifest supernatural beings; third, to honor the deceased; and fourth, to represent totemic animals.
Korean mask dances evolved from dances, music, and dramas performed during P'algwanhoe, the court ceremonies of the Koryo dynasty, during Yondunghoe, a Buddhist ceremony held to pray for the nation's peace and the well-being of the people, and during Narye, the shaman rite held on the lunar New Year's Eve to ward off evils.
Korean mask dances date back to the court entertainments of the Shilla Kingdom, such as Ch'eoyongmu, the masked dance celebrating the life of Ch'royong, and Hyang-ak Ogi (Five Masked Entertainments). The latter originated from China and Central Asia. It combines Kumhwan (Ball Game Masked Dance), Wolchon (Mime Farce or Comic Masked Dance), Taemyon (Talismanic Masked Dance), Soktok, (Acrobatic Masked Dance), and Sanye (Lion Mask Dance).
Mask dances have been handed down under the name of T'alch'um, Sandae nori, Ogwangdae, and Yayu, each rooted in a different region.
During ancient times masks were believed to drive away malicious spirits, diseases, and fearsome animals. Their purposes were: first, to ward off all evils; second, to manifest supernatural beings; third, to honor the deceased; and fourth, to represent totemic animals.
Korean mask dances evolved from dances, music, and dramas performed during P'algwanhoe, the court ceremonies of the Koryo dynasty, during Yondunghoe, a Buddhist ceremony held to pray for the nation's peace and the well-being of the people, and during Narye, the shaman rite held on the lunar New Year's Eve to ward off evils.
Korean mask dances date back to the court entertainments of the Shilla Kingdom, such as Ch'eoyongmu, the masked dance celebrating the life of Ch'royong, and Hyang-ak Ogi (Five Masked Entertainments). The latter originated from China and Central Asia. It combines Kumhwan (Ball Game Masked Dance), Wolchon (Mime Farce or Comic Masked Dance), Taemyon (Talismanic Masked Dance), Soktok, (Acrobatic Masked Dance), and Sanye (Lion Mask Dance).
Traditional Korean Drumming
Last year, selected 4th/5th grade Wilshire Park students will explored the world of traditional Korean drumming. This class focused on P’ungmul and Samulnori styles, both of which are rooted in ancient village farming culture and shamanic rituals. Samulnori literally means four things playing and refers to the four primary percussion instruments played in its performance: kkwenggwari, jing, janggu and buk.
As a beginner-level class, students learned the basic rhythms performed on the buk. At the end of the semester, selected students entered a competition against other Korean drumming groups from other schools.
As a beginner-level class, students learned the basic rhythms performed on the buk. At the end of the semester, selected students entered a competition against other Korean drumming groups from other schools.