ISSN : 1229-0076
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.
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