Tuesday, October 24

Seodang and Chaekkori

This will be the first of many to come I hope. I am trying to improve my Korean and I hope to do so by writing about a weekly story or bit of culture. Hopefully, I can teach my beloved readers about this place once known as the hermit kingdom. (especially Andrew)





Back in the old days, Korean kids aged about 3-4 years old went to a village school. (Seodang) ㅁAt the Seodang, they had a curriculum and the kids were taught the thousand Chinese character text. (Chonjamun)
They had to master and memorize this book and were also taught morals and manners. Students had to listen and read in unison and sometimes would sway back and forth to the rhthym.
It was a big feat finishing a book so the parents would make rice cake (ddok) and other food to take to the school for the teacher. This was called 'chaekkori'. The students were also encouraged to study harder.

서당과 책거리
옛날 어린이들은 서너살 무렵부터 마을에 있는 서당에 가서 공부를 했다. 서당에서는 천자문 과정을 했다.

학생들은 그 책의 이해하고 예의범절 받았아. 그래고 또한 박자에 맞추어 몸을 흔들면서 읽기도 했다.

학생들의 글자듣고 노래 부르듯 읽었다.

첵을 한 권 끝내는 데에는 시간과 노력이 많이 들었다. 그레서 학동의 집에서는 날을 받아서 떡을 냈다. 이것을 '책거리' 했다.

또 한 아이들에게는 앞으로 더욱 더 열심히 공부하라는 격려의 의미가 있었다.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hey Dave,
I look forward to hearing more about the culture and history of Korea. I always like to hear history and culture of different countries, and ever since you've lived in Korea, my interest of that country has also grown. Keep up the good work!