The Origin and Transmission of the Bridge-Treading Festival of Yeoju

여주답교(驪州踏橋)놀이의 유래(由來)와 전승양상(傳承樣相)

Bridge - Treading was a flok festival that was held on the night of the 1st full moon of the lunar new years. Men and women, both young and old, took pan in it in the belief that crossing a bridge, or bridges, back and forth, the same number of times as the number of years they were old, on this night would prevent all types of leg and foot ailments from occurring throughout the coming year. The practice was carried on mainly around the Seoul central region of Korea. Though it has now largely disappeared, it has been reatores in the Yeoju area. According to the Korean almanac and other chronicles, it was once practiced throughout the land. It is in the preserved was brige-treading festival of yeoju, however, that both the original form, transmission, and function are clarified and brought to light. In this regard, when compares to similar festivals of other region such as Songpa and Kwacheon, it is found that of Yeojo has a special characteristic. Accompanied by folksongs, music, and dance, this was not a religions festival in the strict sense, but rather an annual custom filled with mirth and merriment that formed an integral part of Korean folk culture.