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[그렉의 한국 엿보기] Dalmaji Full Moon Festival
The weather was still bitter cold and there was a strong wind blowing as I got off the subway on my way to Haeundae beach. I had planned to meet a friend for dinner at the Indian restaurant but was early and wanted to get a coffee. It was dusk as I walked up the narrow street towards the big hotels and the beach. As I got closer I noticed smoke in the air and, instead of stopping at the coffee shop, I continued on towards the water to investigate. Huge red flames leapt up from an enormous fire in the middle of the beach. Thousands of people were gathered around the fire and there was some traditional drumming and music playing. Women dressed in hanbok were dancing in a circle to a drummer. Intrigued, I called my friend to come meet me sooner.
 [그렉의 한국 엿보기] Dalmaji Full Moon Festival 청취
It was getting darker when she arrived and it was then that I noticed the moon rising over Dalmaji hill. It was a full moon and the haze from the fire amplified its size and turned it a rusty color. We quickly ate dinner while the bonfire burned and then went back to the beach to observe. Near the bonfire there was a huge sand sculpture of the Buddha, surrounded by candles in cups. People were going forward and placing more cups around the outside of the sculpture, so we did the same. Along the water's edge there were candles placed in holes dug in the sand.
On the rocks in front of the Westin Chosun hotel there were more people. They were kneeling or sitting on mats and had candles surrounding them. Some were playing softly on drums or tearing off bits of paper, lighting them on fire and letting them blow away in the wind. Others were tossing oranges and other fruits into the water. My friend and I watched for a long time as the fire burned down in the distance and the moon carved its path in the dark sky. There was no festival or event that I could compare this to where I'm from.
Reading about it later I came to realize that we had stumbled on the Dalmaji Full Moon Festival that takes places every year on Haeundae beach during the first full moon of the lunar New Year. The bonfire, made out of pine trees, is lit to drive away evil spirits and grant wishes for the New Year. Many people gather to make wishes or to watch the moon loom over the hill.
The festival that had seemed so strange at first, in the two years since, has become much more clear. Even though there is no comparable event where I'm from I have come to appreciate and accept this festival. In fact, I make it a priority to attend and watch and look forward to continue seeing the fires light up the moon and make wishes come true.
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 / 입력시간: 2008. 03.11. 15:24
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