바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

The Review of Korean Studies

ISSN : 1229-0076

Article Contents

Prev
e-Submission

Vol.11 No.3
Citation Share

Commemoration of Dead Animals in Contemporary Korea: Emergence and Development of Dongmul Wiryeongje as Modern Folklore

The Review of Korean Studies / The Review of Korean Studies, (P)1229-0076; (E)2773-9351
2008, v.11 no.3, pp.149-169
https://doi.org/10.25024/review.2008.11.3.007
Elmer Veldkamp (University of Tokyo)
Elmer, V. (2008). Commemoration of Dead Animals in Contemporary Korea: Emergence and Development of Dongmul Wiryeongje as Modern Folklore. The Review of Korean Studies, 11(3), 149-169, https://doi.org/10.25024/review.2008.11.3.007
  • Downloaded
  • Viewed
PDF Download

Abstract

This paper looks at the continuously changing nature of contemporary folklore by focusing on the practice of praying for the souls of dead animals in ceremonies referred to as dongmul wiryeongje in contemporary Korea. From the 1990s onwards, Korean newspapers have increasingly reported on these ceremonies as held at animal laboratories, zoos, and other locations where animals have died or have been killed in their service for humans. Attitudes toward animals in Korea have undergone much change in the last twenty years. With the recent pet boom and active animal activism, animals have become a significant subject of debate in Korea. However, there remains a lack of interest in animal-related issues in studies of Korean culture up to the present. Part of the reason for this may be contributed to the human-centered character of Korean society. In addition, preceding studies of Korean animal folklore have mainly focused on long-term continuity of certain cultural elements and symbols, i.e., tradition. By looking into the history and contemporary situation of these dongmul wiryeongje, the author will show how focusing on changing human-animal relationships can bring new insights to the everchanging nature of folk culture in Korea.

keywords
dongmul wiryeongje, animal memorial, non-human souls, modern folklore

Reference

1.

Academy of Korean Studies, (1995) Hanguk minjongmunhwa daebaekkwasajeon (Korean National Cultural Encyclopedia), Academy of Korean Studies

2.

Bigyo minsok hakhoe, (2002) Minsokkwa hwangyeong (Folklore and the Environment), Minsokwon

3.

Cheon, Jingi, (2002) Dongmulminsok yeongu siron (Essay on Animal Folklore Research), 경인문화사

4.

Chiba,Tokuji., (1969) Shury-odensh-okenky-u (Research on Hunting Folklore), Kazama Shob-o

5.

Iliff,Susan A., (2002) An Additional “R”: Remembering the Animals. ILAR Journal 43-1. http://dels.nas.edu/ilar_n/ilarjournal/43_1/, Institute for Laboratory Animal Research

6.

Kim, Uisuk., (2003) Minsokhakiran mwosinga (What is Folkore Studies), Books Hill

7.

Kim, Jongdae, (2001) Dongmureul tonghae bon minsoksangjinggwa uimi-e daehan gochal (Inquiries into Folklore Symbols and Meaning Seen through Animals). Minsokhakyeongu 8,

8.

Knight, John, (2005) Animals in Person?Perspectives on Human-animal Intimacy, Berg Publishers

9.

이준상, (2000) 국립보건원의 변천, 의공학회지

10.

Matsuzaki,Kenz-o., (2004) Gendai kuy-o ronk- o?hito, d- oshokubutsu, mono no kuy-o (Treatise on Modern Buddhist Memorial Services?Kuy-ofor People, Plants, Animals, and Objects), Keiy-usha

11.

Murakami, Shigeyoshi, (1993) Sh - okon to irei?Yasukuni no shis-o (Comforting and Inviting the Souls?The Principle of Yasukuni Shrine) in : Hanguk dongmulwon palsimnyeonsa?Changgyeongwon pyeon (Eighty Year History of Korean Zoos?Changgyeongwon Volume), Seoul teukbyeolsi

12.

Veldkamp, Elmer., (2005) Aiganken to shokuy-oken no aida?Kankoku no inurons-o ni kan suru ikk-osatsu” (Between Consumption Dog and Pet Dog?On the “Dog Debate” in Korea),

13.

Veldkamp, Elmer, Memorializing Animals in Japan in : Tsu Yun Hui,, Global Oriental

14.

Veldkamp, Elmer, (2008) Senzen no “Mugon no senshi” to sengo no d-obutsu ireisai, Yoshikawa K-obunkan

The Review of Korean Studies

e-Submission OA Policy