Baekjung

Baekjung

15th day of the seventh lunar month

In Korea the 15th, or full moon day, of the seventh lunar month is observed with Buddhist and folk agricultural traditions. Baekjung means "one hundred kinds," referring to the great number of fruits, vegetables, and grains that flourish at this time of year. There are Buddhist ceremonies at which samples of one hundred of these foods are offered to Buddha.
In farming areas, people celebrate this day as a "weeding party" often called Homi Ssisi or Homi ssiggi —"hoe cleaning," since, by this time in the season, most of the hard work of farming is completed. The farm worker judged to be the hardest worker is feted with a parade around the village. Then his employer provides food and drink for a village-wide party.

CONTACTS:
Korea Foundation
10-11F, Diplomatic Center Bldg., 2558 Nambusunhwanno, Seocho-gu
Seoul, 137-863 Korea
82-2-3463-5684; fax: 82-2-3463-6086
www.koreana.or.kr

SOURCES:
AnnCustKorea-1983, p. 129

Celebration days: Aug 13, 2011; Aug 2, 2012; Jul 22, 2013; Aug 9, 2014; Jul 29, 2015