It was a majestic sight of ancient history, deep within the heart of nature. With mountains soaring up into the sky, the sun battling the clouds for a chance to shine, the flowers beginning to blossom; the serenity, beauty and the breathtaking sights were what defined the Korean Cultural Village.

This Cultural Village is a major tourist site for local and international tourists all year round. It is the recreation of a late Joseon period community, surrounded by mountains with a river flowing in front of it. About 260 traditional houses were relocated from the various regions in South Korea to recreate this beautiful village.  

From ordinary farmer houses complete with bamboo workshops and mill stones to the typical large land owner houses built in the form of a large compound, visitors are immediately transported 150 years into the past. There was also a noble’s mansion that stood out due to its sheer beauty. Another major structure located in the village was the Traditional city hall, showcasing the traditional punishments, complete with torture chambers and jail houses.

Arts and craft station workshops for jobs such as silk making, cloth starching, pottery sculpting and traditional dyeing as well as products such as brass wares, iron wares, embroidery, paper and baskets show the resourcefulness and the industrious attributes of the South Koreans.

There were also displays of cultural Korean events. A Master of Arts performed several maneuvers on the tightrope, telling stories and playing songs in harmony with his performance.  There was also a Korean traditional wedding ceremony held in the noble’s house, a farming village’s festival of music and dance wishing for a good harvest, as well as some incredible horseback riding displays.

The Korean Folk village was complete with traditional Korean cuisine ranging from Bibimpap to a large variety of soups and side dishes such as fried seafood pancakes.  It was a rich and healthy array of foods, all of natural source and handled in a number of cooking or preservation methods.

Overall, the students that participated in this event reacted positively to the proceedings of the field trip. Most students replied that they would participate in such an event again if one was organized, and that they would recommend such experiences to other students should the chance befall them.

The visit to the Korean Folk village was an experience that would not be easily forgotten. A culture so rich and fascinating should be preserved for the future generations. Hopefully, this culture will continue to thrive on, with its people never forgetting to cherish it.

By Oluremilekun Akinyemi (2015 MDP, Nigeria)