Korean traditional markets

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Traditional Korean market in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

As a traditional Korean markets ( 재래 시장 , Jaerae Sijang ) are in South Korea markets, either as a 5-day markets under the stars or as permanent markets in covered roads or buildings are open daily and on which agricultural products, marine products and articles of domestic Be offered for sale as required.

Previously also found in villages, such markets in a more modern form now only exist in the country's larger cities. Special markets that had specialized in a certain range of goods also emerged over the past two centuries, but have now almost completely disappeared. Since the turn of the millennium, artists have increasingly found access to the markets and thus primarily address younger sections of the population who are thus revitalizing the traditional markets today.

history

Fish on offer in the Jeongeup market

The culture of holding markets developed increasingly in Korea between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. At this time the Little Ice Age was drawing to a close, which led to rising temperatures and greater agricultural yields. The secure food base of the population with generated surpluses, combined with developing craft areas, promoted trade and the money economy sustainably. At that time, settlements emerged in which living was the focus. The markets developed in them, initially preferentially at the intersections of land and waterways, later also far away from navigable rivers.

Hyangsi 향시 was the name given to the regular markets in the Joseon period 조선 . They were to be found in the country at intervals of 12 to 15 km and could be reached by farmers, artisans and traders on foot, there and back in one day. In the middle of the 18th century, the Bobusang 보부상 , the "flying traders", were added, who played an important role in the distribution of goods.

At first, agricultural products, everyday items and handicrafts were traded in the open-air markets. Later, special markets and markets that took place over five days also developed. At the beginning of the 19th century there were over a thousand such 5-day markets in Korea.

Market in Jeongeup

The markets played an important role for the common people in their communication across village boundaries. At the markets one learned what one could not be aware of through official channels. The markets were also used as places for political meetings and demonstrations. For example, in 1894, the leader Jeon Bong-jun ( 전봉준 ) (1855–1895) from the marketplace Malmok-jangteo ( 말목 장터 ) in Jeollabuk-do province ( 전라북도 ) called for a peasant revolt against the country's corrupt officials . The uprising became known as Donghak Undong ( 동학 운동 ). Another example is the Aunae-jangteo ( 아우 매장 터 ) market in Cheonan ( 천안시 ). The Korean Declaration of Independence was read out here on March 1st, 1919, see March 1st Movement .

Another market steeped in history is the Yangnyeongsi ( 양녕 시 ) medical market, which was initiated by King Hyojong ( reg ) (r. 1649–1659) and held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and where medicinal herbs from across the country were traded .

Beef Market Outside Seoul (Fall 1945)

A traditional special market was also the Hwamunseok ( 화문석 ), a market for mats made from Cyprus grass . The tradition of making mats from this material goes back to the middle of the Goryeo period ( 고려 ) (918–1392). They were made in the Ganghwa-gun County area . In the early 1990s, the market disappeared as the demand for traditionally manufactured mats dropped significantly. The hemp linen market in Jinju City and the multitude of beef markets across the country fared similarly . While there were 655 cattle markets in Korea in 1918, they have now disappeared as specialty markets or only exist as part of a few 5-day markets in the country, such as in the village of Donggok-ri ( 동곡리 ) in Cheongdo County ( 청도 ).

In order to revive the tradition of the Korean markets, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism started a program in 2008 with which cultural projects should make the existing markets more attractive again. Cities and business people also participated and gave young artists rooms in the halls of the markets on favorable terms. The cultural scene accepted this and so in some cities connections arose between traditional trade and art. This made the markets more attractive again for the younger parts of the population, especially in the metropolises and large cities.

Examples of traditional markets

Namdaemun-Sijang in the Jung-gu district of Seoul

Namdaemun-Sijang in Seoul

Namdaemun Market ( 남대문 시장 ) is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Korea. This market was mentioned by name in 1414, in the early days of the Joseon Empire ( 대 조선국 ) (1392-1910). He was at the south gate of the city. During the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1911, a Korean government official founded the Joseon Agricultural Industries AG, on the basis of which the market as it still exists today was developed. In 1922 the market passed into the hands of a Japanese and was renamed Jungangmulsan ( 중앙 물산 ) in 1936. Korean traders were driven out and so the market was entirely Japanese until the liberation of Korea in 1945. Korean dealers returned after 1945, but the market stalled during the Korean War .

In 1964 the market was reopened under its old name. With an area of ​​42,225 m 2 , 58 buildings and over 9,200 shops, the market is the largest in the country today. An estimated 17,000 different products are offered on it. In addition to the traditional goods of a Korean market, clothing offers, high-tech products, accessories, jewelry, glasses and more can also be found there.

Gyeongdong-Sijang in Seoul

Yangnyeongsi Market

Gyeongdong Market ( 경동 시장 ) is located in the Dongdaemun-gu ( 동대문구 ) district of Seoul. It covers an area of ​​around 100,000 m 2 and consists of the old and new Kyungdong Markets, the Kyungdong Building, the Hansol Donguibogam Tower and the Yangnyeongsi Market ( 양녕 시 ), which is the largest market for medicinal herbs and Asian medicinal products Ingredients in Korea is. Launched by King Hyojong (1649–1659), the market lasted until Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945). Since social institutions for the poor and the sick existed in the vicinity of the market and the market also had a strong social function, the Japanese occupiers feared that support for the independence movement could come from the market. The market was closed and only got new impetus in the 1960s. Today two thirds of all medicinal herbs in Korea are traded on the market.

Examples of newer markets

Other well-known markets only emerged in the last century, such as B. the Tongin Market ( 통인 시장 ), which has been held near Gyeongbokgung Palace ( 경복궁 ) in Seoul since 1941 , the Pungmul Market ( 붕물 시장 ), a folklore flea market that is held in a two-story building on Cheonggyecheon ( 청계천 ) is home to the Dongdaemun Market ( 동대문 시장 ), a clothing market with around 30,000 stores, set up in a modern center, it offers sales space for retail and wholesale.

See also

literature

  • Lee Chang-guy : Traditional Markets in Korea . Remnants of the rough romance of yore. In: The Korea Foundation (Ed.): Koreana - Korean Art and Culture . Volume 10, No. 2, summer. Seoul 2015, p. 4-11 .
  • Lee Yun-jeong : The Flowering and Decline of Traditional Specialty Markets: A Time Travel . In: The Korea Foundation (ed.): Koreana . Volume 10, No. 2, summer. Seoul 2015, p. 12-17 .
  • Kim Hyun-jin : Markets in Seoul: Facts That Make Them Even More Interesting . In: The Korea Foundation (ed.): Koreana . Volume 10, No. 2, summer. Seoul 2015, p. 18-19 .
  • Park Eun-yang : Traditional markets as new regional cultural centers . In: The Korea Foundation (ed.): Koreana . Volume 10, No. 2, summer. Seoul 2015, p. 28-33 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b c Lee Chang-guy : Traditional Markets in Korea . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  6 .
  2. ↑ Lee Chang-guy : Traditional Markets in Korea . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  7 .
  3. ↑ a b Lee Yun-jeong : The flowering and decline of traditional specialty markets: A journey through time . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  13 .
  4. ↑ Hwamunseok Cultural Center ( 강화 화문석 문화관 ). In: Visit Korea . Korea Tourism Organization , accessed December 12, 2015 .
  5. ↑ Lee Yun-jeong : The Flowering and Decline of Traditional Specialty Markets: A Journey Through Time . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  14 .
  6. ↑ Lee Yun-jeong : The Flowering and Decline of Traditional Specialty Markets: A Journey Through Time . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  17 .
  7. ^ Park Eun-yang : Traditional markets as new regional cultural centers . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  28 ff .
  8. ^ A b c Kim Hyun-jin : Markets in Seoul: Facts That Make Them Even More Interesting . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  18 .
  9. ↑ a b Namdaemun Market ( 남대문 시장 ). In: Visit Korea . Korea Tourism Organization , accessed December 12, 2015 .
  10. ↑ Seoul Gyeongdong Market ( 서울 경동 시장 ). In: Visit Korea . Korea Tourism Organization , accessed December 12, 2015 .
  11. ↑ Kim Hyun-jin : Markets in Seoul: Facts That Make Them Even More Interesting . In: Koreana . 2015, p.  18th f .
  12. ↑ Traditional Markets in Seoul. In: Visit Korea . Korea Tourism Organization , accessed December 12, 2015 .