지리산 산신제의 역사와 지리산남악제

Abstract

This paper explores historical development of the Jirisan gods’ ritual and examines the characteristics of the Jirisan Namak-je(Southern Sacred Peak Ceremony) and how the ceremony accepted the tradition of the mountain gods’ ritual. Jirisan was designated during Shilla as Namak(Southern Sacred Peak), one of the five sacred peaks. Jirisan Namak-je, in honor of the mountain gods, is held in the Namak-sa(Southern Sacred Peak Ritual Shrine) located in Gurye, Jollanam-do and the ceremony became a local festival. Jirisan had been registered in the national ritual codes in Shilla, Goryeo, Joseon and the Great Han Empire throughout the nation’s history. Shilla government built the ritual shrine of the Southern Sacred Peak in Cheongjoo, which is currently located in Jinjoo. During Goryo, Jirisan Ritual Shrine was built in Namwon, and rituals were held regularly, every spring and fall. Joseon government established a national ritual shrine in Gurye, a southern part of Namwon. The kings sent officials to Jirisan in order to hold ritual services in honor of the mountain gods’ grace to the people and to pray for the gods to protect the nation. The national ritual service in Jirisan was a measure taken by the government to promote the wellbeing of the country. Gurye County initiated the Jirisan Yaksu-je(Celebrating of Medicinal water) in April 20, 1964. It is held once a year, on the trditional date "Goku" in conjunction with the local Gurye Festival. In 1969, Namak-sa(Southern Sacred Peak Ritual Shrine)was built, and the Jirisan Yaksu-je for god in Jirisan has been held in the shrine. The title of the ritual was changed to “Jirisan Namak-je.” Jirisan Namak-je is noticeable in that it succeeds in the traditional mountain gods’ ritual services in Jirisan. The ceremony is one of the examples of making the historical national rituals into modern tourism resources and local cultural festivals.