Seollal in North Korea

Seollal is the celebration of the Lunar New Year, which is one of the most significant traditional holidays in Korean culture, including in North Korea. It typically falls in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar.

History and Traditions:

Seollal traditions have deep historical roots in Korean society, with customs that have been passed down for generations. It is a time when people honor their ancestors and come together with family.

• Ancestral Rites (Charye): Families perform ancestral rites to pay respect to their forebears. They prepare a table with food offerings and bow deeply to show their reverence.

• Sebae: A traditional bow performed by children to their elders. In return, the elders usually give the children money (Sebaetdon) and blessings for the new year.

• New Year's Feast: Traditional foods are prepared and enjoyed during Seollal. One of the staples is 'tteokguk' – a soup made with sliced rice cakes, which symbolizes gaining a year of age and good fortune.

• Hanbok: Many Koreans wear traditional clothing called hanbok, although this practice might be less common nowadays due to modernization.

Activities on Seollal:

While North Korea shares many traditions with South Korea, there may be some differences due to the distinct political climate.

• Family Gatherings: People travel to their hometowns to be with family, although travel restrictions within North Korea may limit this practice compared to other countries.

• Games & Entertainment: Folk games such as Yutnori (a board game using sticks), kite flying, and various card games are popular during Seollal.

• Television Broadcasts: The state-run television broadcasts special programming that often includes artistic performances, music shows, and movies.

Note: While Seollal itself is a cultural holiday deeply rooted in Korean tradition rather than political ideology, its celebration in North Korea may still reflect governmental influences on cultural expressions.