서해안지역의 풍어제 무구가 갖는 의의와 특징－현지조사 사례연구를 중심으로－

Abstract

This study has aimed at analyzing the significance of ‘Pungeojae’, a shaman ritual held for good fishing in the west coastal region of Korea, in connection with the unique characteristics of the region. At the same time, its aim has been to shed light on the characteristics of ‘Pungeojae’ by investigating the appearance and meaning of shamanic tools used for the ritual. The study was conducted with a focus on the areas where ‘Pungeojae’ has been handed down through generations, including Bukseong Port in Incheon, Ansum in Chungcheong Province, and Beobseongpo in Jeolla Province, where local residents have organized and the shaman has presided over the ritual for a big catch. ‘Pungeojae’ rituals held in the west coastal region have shared the same objective of praying for the safety of the village and a big catch. Some shamanic tools used for ‘Pungeojae’ appear to be universal. However, these tools can be divided into two categories: tools that commonly appear in areas, and tools that are found in specific places. The universal symbols include ‘Jejaong’ (a ritual place), ‘Baetgi’ (a banner to decorate a boat) and ‘Ttibae’ (a miniature straw boat sent out into the sea). In some parts of the region, ‘Bongjuk’ (a bamboo stalk decorated with flowers) and General Lim Kyung-up’s banner have been used as shamanic tools. ‘Baetgi’ banners, which appear universally, have shared similar shapes and temporarily served as reliquaries. ‘Ttibae’ miniature boats have a common value in that they are symbolic objects to take away bad luck, although they have appeared in various forms. In the past, the west coastal region was a fishing culture zone for yellow corvina. ‘Pungeojae’ rituals held in this region were presumably aimed at praying for a big catch of yellow corvina, and therefore it can be analyzed that this cultural basis was reflected as well in the ritual symbols. It can be said that ‘Bongjuk’ (a bamboo stalk decorated with flowers) and General Lim Kyung-up’s banner are symbolic objects reflecting the yellow corvina fishing culture in the west coastal region. ‘Bongjuk’ stalks have been found only in ‘Pungeojae’ in the northern part of the region, including Chungcheong Province. In the past, ‘Bongjuk’ was recognized as a symbol indicating a mid-and-large-sized fishing boat with a full load of yellow corvina. However, the bamboo stalk was temporarily used as a religious symbol during ‘Pungeojae’. This can be interpreted as that ‘Bongjuk’ were widely distributed across the west coastal region during the peak season of catching yellow corvina. ‘Bongjuk’ is currently recognized as a constant symbol and as a shamanic tool handed down through the religious ritual called ‘Pungeojae’. General Lim Kyung-up’s banner, which is the emblem of General Lim Kyung-up, a god of catching yellow corvina, appears only in ‘Pungeojae’ held in and around Hwanghae Province and Gyeonggi Province. With the catches decreasing in size, yellow corvina fishing does not play a big role anymore on the west coast. However, it is characteristic that the symbols related to yellow corvina fishing are still passed down to ‘Pungeojae’. Recently, with a view to developing ‘Pungeojae’ into a regional festivity, some areas have enlarged the size of ‘Ttibae’, released limits to the object of prayer for villagers, expanded the object to include outsiders, and diversified the purpose of prayer. This can be understood as that the individual’s prayers for good fortune prevail over the weakening faith of the community and that such changes are reflected in the symbols of ‘Pungeojae’.