TRADITIONAL MASKS OF SOUTH KOREA

Written by: Krupal Mehta, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Edited by: Khushi Vaid, Delhi

The discovery of South Korean traditional masks intrigues us with the history and culture associated with them. Korean Masks, known as Tal, are primarily used in cultural activities. They fall into two categories: religious masks and artistic masks. They are also worn during wars, collected as souvenirs, and used in dance rituals. In today’s modern world, one can find these Korean masks in Seoul’s vibrant and famous Insa-dong. Government-recognized artisans tirelessly carve these brilliant pieces by hand, many of which are traded with overseas buyers.

Different Types of Masks and Their Characteristics

Religious Masks are used to ward off evils and dance masks are used in performances. For Koreans, Tal resembled a sacred symbol of God, hence it was used for religious purposes, and they were believed to ward off danger. The dance and singing now resemble the performances in the past which were performed in villages to worship and maintain peace in the village.

Masks originally held sacred significance in shamanistic rituals. However, as civilization progressed, their purpose evolved to encompass entertainment and artistic expression. By the fourteenth century, masks had gained widespread acceptance as sources of joy and excitement during festivities. This shift in function led to the creation of Talchum (mask dance) and Talnori (mask play). The wonderful masks and mask dances of Korea include the Haeseo Talchum of Hwanghae Province, Sandae Nori of Gyeonggi Province, Ogwangdae Nori and Deul Nori of the Nakdong River areas are famous throughout the world.

_{Picture Credits: Wikimedia}

Korean Mask Symbolism

Korean masks are grotesque and vividly coloured which is a unique feature of their mask, they are coloured in bright colours. These colours are vital in knowing whether the wearer is young or old. Dark and black coloured masks are for elder characters whereas bright and red are for young characters, and white coloured masks are for the young female character. To illustrate the character’s duplicity, masks are sometimes painted as half red and half white. Based on personality also the colour of masks plays a significant role as, a red, darkly-coloured mask signifies recklessness and aggression; a yellow or lightly colored mask depicts folly and ineptitude; and a black or darkly colored mask represents anxiety and social marginalization.

_{Picture Credits: Korea.net}

Dive Deep into the History

The Bongsan Talchum is one of Korea’s most representative mask dances. It consists of seven acts and includes dialogue, dance, and music. The performance blurs the line between the stage and the audience, allowing the audience members to freely participate. This unique connection between the actors and the audience makes this traditional Korean performing art distinct. In Bongsan Talchum, Malttugi, the main character, serves an upper-class household (Yangban). The performance criticizes and satirizes the upper-class, rebel Buddhist monks, and authoritarian, patriarchal men, giving voice to the struggles of the commoner class and their resistance. These were radical ideas to convey at the time. In mask dance, people can put out their suppressed emotions to the world in an artistic way, hence Koreans tend to enjoy mask dance the most.

_{Picture Credits: Korean Cultural Center New York}

Hahoetal Masks are the traditional Korean masks worn in the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori. They are considered a treasure of Korea and are displayed in the National Museum as well. They are famous and beautiful masks representing Korean culture. There are twelve masks of hahoetal and nine are counted as national treasures of Korea. The twelve masks represent twelve characters needed to be performed. They are Kakshi, Chung, Yangban, Choraengi, Sonbi, Imae, Pune, Paekchong, Halmi, Ttoktari, Pyolchae and Chonggak.

Korea presents two sides of itself- the modern tech-savvy side and the other which is full of beautiful cultural aspects. Tell us about your thoughts regarding Korean Traditional Masks in the comments.