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buffalo
ICH Elements 4
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Gungsijang (Bow and Arrow Making)
National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Gungsijang refers to the skill of making bows and arrows, or to such an artisan. A bow-making artisan is called gungjang and an arrow-making artisan is sijang in Korean. It is said that Koreans have displayed particularly excellent skills in the production of bows and arrows. In ancient times, the Chinese called Koreans Dongi, meaning people in the east skillful in archery and the production of bows. The shape of bows used in Goguryeo (37 BC – 660 AD) can be seen in murals dating from the period. They look similar to those used nowadays and so it is thought that the traditional bows have been handed down with no noticeable changes. Even during the Goryeo (877 – 1394) and Joseon (1392 – 1910) Periods, archery was regarded as an important skill. In the early Joseon Period, archery was one of the subjects that applicants for a state-administered exam for recruitment of military officers had to pass. With the introduction of matchlock rifles during the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592 – 1598), bows ceased to function as a weapon. Bamboo or mulberry wood, water buffalo horn and ox sinew were used in the production of bows. Korean bows were made with ox horn and sinews. They could send arrows a long distance. The body of the bow was mainly made of oak and mulberry wood, and bamboo is also used to increase the tensile strength. To make the bowstring and the parts for connecting it to the body, ox sinew, ox horn and yellow croaker glue were used. Bows were not made in summer, as the stickiness of yellow croaker glue is reduced in hot and humid weather. Tools used to make the bows were saw, plane, wood hammer, file, knife, awl, wood pincer, wood comb, and metal comb. Types of arrows included mokjeon (wood arrows), cheoljeon (metal arrows), yejeon (long arrows used in special events), sejeon (thin arrows), and yuyeopjeon (willow leave-shaped arrows). Bush clover wood, bamboo, metal pieces, bird feathers, pear skin and glue were used in the production of arrows, which were made throughout the year.
South Korea -
Rebana Ubi
Popular in the East Coast — particularly in Kelantan — the rebana ubi is the largest of the rebana family of drums. It is used as an accompaniment during ceremonial rites and festivities, particularly after harvest season, as well as for recreation and competitions. Almost one-metre-high and about 70cm in diameter, it is the only rebana that is vibrantly decorated on the body as well as the face. Each drum is painted brightly and adorned at the top with a large, beautifully carved Kelantanese coat-of-arms — the makhota (crown), a pair of salient kijang (barking deer), crescent moon and five-pointed star. The art of rebana ubi making has been passed on for generations of Kelantanese craftsmen. The difficult process involves drying, stretching and pegging the buffalo hide; gathering and shaping the rattan; hollowing out the merbau wood for the body; and painting the frame of the rebana ubi. Over the past few decades, however, economic pressures as well as a lack of sustained efforts in training have resulted in declining interest in the art of rebana ubi making.
Malaysia -
Mamagandal
Mamagandal or 'manakai' is the process of carrying paddy sacks (“bandu”) using a buffalo to transfer the sacks from the seedling area to the paddy grain barn reserve (“tangkob”). This activity that has become a traditional game was introduced to highlight the originality of the daily activities of the KadazanDusun ethnic in Sabah during the harvesting season. This game displays culture and speed, perseverance and physical strength of the tribe in utilising the transport system in the past, in the muddy and puddle conditions of the paddy field.
Malaysia -
Bulfalo-fighting festival in Đồ Sơn
Also known as buffalo fighting festival in Vietnamese, the festival is associated with the ancient custom of worshiping the water god and the long-standing sacrifice of the coastal community of Hai Phong. The selection, purchase and training of a fighting buffalo is subject to strict regulations on customs. One needs a lot of skill and experience to select and care for buffalo. The selected buffaloes are kept in separate stables, without contact with normal buffaloes. Taking place from the 1st to the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the festival begins with the sacrifice ceremony of Diem Tuoc at the General communal house - also the god of the local village. Then there is the water procession, associated with the custom of sacrificing to the Water God. The magic water bottle that is changed once a year is brought back to the communal house by each village. The buffalo carpentry bathing ceremony takes place on the 6th, followed by the water procession on the 7th. The buffalo is carried into the communal house to worship the Citadel, henceforth called "Mr. Buffaloes are fought in pairs from the preliminary round to the final round. At the end of the festival, the winning buffalo is allowed to return in a procession. making sacrifices at the communal house On August 16, the village conducts a ceremony of "casting the gods" and disbanding, ending the festival.
Viet Nam