충남지역 동제의 성격과 제의구조 고찰

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the purposes and structures of the village rituals performed in South Chungcheong. For convenience of discussion, the villages are classified into 3 types: remote mountain villages, inland plain villages and coastal island villages. The main point of interest is the purposes and structures of the village rituals according to the village type. What is first proposed in relation to the purposes is that the village rituals are performed for the preservation of the peace of the villages. Based on this, the village rituals performed in the remote mountain villages, inland plain villages and coastal island villages were examined respectively. As a result, it was verified that they were performed from the wish to be safe from infectious diseases, evil spirits or wild beasts. An analysis was made of the fact that another purpose of the village rituals is the prayer for prosperity and wealth. As a result, it was found that the rituals performed in the remote mountain and inland plain villages are to pray for a rich harvest and community prosperity. The rituals performed in the coastal island villages are to pray for a good catch of fish. In relation to the structures of the village rituals, two shrines are located in the mountain and the village, respectively. In the mountain there is an Upper Shrine(上堂), where the Upper God stays. In the village there is a Lower Shrine(下堂), where the Lower God stays. The dual structure of Upper and Lower Shrines is prevalent regardless of the village type. However, there are some villages that have only one of the two. The rituals are performed in the manner of the Confucian memorial service held on an anniversary of death(忌祭祀). The rite of offering the third libation(終獻) and then burning sacrificial paper burning(燒紙) is performed to pray for a rich harvest and the peace and prosperity of the village and residents. This is a common rite regardless of the village type. In the village rituals performed in the coastal island villages, however, an exorcism by a shaman was performed after a Confucian ceremony. In short, they are a combination of a Confucian ritual and an exorcism.