Chuseok, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is a three-day celebration held in the fall, marked by ancestral worship, feasting, and visiting family graves. Traditionally, families come together to honor their ancestors through Charye (ancestral rites) and Beolcho (clearing weeds around graves), while enjoying foods such as Songpyeon (crescent-shaped rice cakes) (Lim). However, Jeju Island, separated by both the sea and distinct geographical conditions, has developed its own variations of these customs.
Jeju’s geographical location allowed its culture to diverge from that of mainland Korea. The island’s rugged, volcanic terrain and the sea that surrounds it fostered a culture reliant on agriculture, fishing, and maritime trade. These environmental factors shaped how Jeju people celebrate Chuseok, making their customs more focused on local resources and unique agricultural products (Kang).
Photo by NASA
Jeju’s Chuseok traditions offer a window into the island’s rich and unique cultural identity, which has been carefully preserved over centuries. The following are key customs practiced during Chuseok on Jeju Island.
Beolcho, the practice of cleaning and tending to family graves before Chuseok, symbolizes respect for ancestors. While this is common in both Jeju and mainland Korea, Jeju residents often approach it differently. The island’s harsher terrain and close connection to the land make Beolcho a more communal activity, often involving extended family members who travel long distances to participate. Unlike other regions, where people visit ancestral graves after performing rites, in Jeju, Beolcho is typically done between the 1st and 15th days of the 8th lunar month before Chuseok (Kim).
Songpyeon, the rice cakes traditionally filled with sweet ingredients, also differs from Jeju. On the mainland, Songpyeon is crescent-shaped, but in Jeju, they are usually round. Due to the island’s difficulty in growing rice, Jeju’s round Songpyeon was a way to ensure people could eat plenty, at least on Chuseok.
Photo by Jeju-Gijeong-Tteok
Some say the round shape represents Jeju Island itself, with the dent in the center symbolizing Baeknokdam, the crater lake at the top of Hallasan (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences).
Another significant dish during Jeju’s Chuseok is Jireumtteok (Jeju dialect for Gireum-tteok, meaning "oil rice cake"). These rice cakes, made from glutinous rice flour and pan-fried in oil, were considered a delicacy due to the scarcity of rice on the island (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences).
Jeju’s Chuseok customs, shaped by its geography and history, highlight the island’s unique cultural traditions, which contrast with those of mainland Korea. These customs not only reinforce community bonds but also preserve the island’s cultural identity in the face of modernization.
As the world becomes increasingly globalized, the preservation of local traditions like those found on Jeju is more important than ever. These customs serve as a reminder of the island’s rich heritage, and by maintaining them, Jeju’s people protect their cultural legacy for future generations.
Understanding and appreciating Jeju’s unique Chuseok practices fosters a deeper respect for Korea’s cultural diversity. As visitors and outsiders engage with these traditions, they have the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of these customs, promoting mutual respect and cultural awareness in an ever-changing world.
Cheju Information Network. (2007). Cheju Island. Accessed November 14, 2008.