Important Intangible Cultural property No. 8
Jeollanam-do, Haenam-gun, Munnae-myeon, Dongoe-ri 919
Ganggangsullae is one of the Thanksgiving folk plays performed in the Southwestern coastal province of Jeollanam-do. Ganggangsullae, mixed with songs and dances, is performed by ladies young and old of the village who dress in new clothes. They play is generally called 'Ganggangsullae' but semetimes called 'Ganggangsuweollae'. Among many stories handed down about the origin of Ganggangsullae, the one concerning Admiral Yi Sun-sin during the Japanese invasion is the most common. During that time, Admiral Yi gathered the ladies of a village, disguised them as males, and had them walk around okmae Mountain to deceive the enemy into thinking there was a larger number of soldiers. This is a circle dance only performed by women. It is performed without ant musical instruments and at night only. The method includes many kinds of plays which are alternated all night long and shows the artistic elegance and beauty of the province of Jeollanam-do. This dance was designated as a cultural material on February 15, 1965.