Hahoe Pyolshin-gut T’al-Nori is one of Korea’s most traditional folk plays. Until 1928 the shaman ritual had been performed at intervals of three, five or...

Hahoe Pyolshin-gut T’al-Nori is one of Korea’s most traditional folk plays. Until 1928 the shaman ritual had been performed at intervals of three, five or sometimes ten years, depending on the revelation of the local goddess. It was said that if you did not have a chance to watch the mask dance performed in your lifetime, you could not go to heaven. Susie Jung-hee Jouffa and Francois Jouffa have recorded in Hahoe the actors, dancers and musicians of this show. Kyongju, the ancient capital of the millennium kingdom of Shilla has a unique tradition of female vocals and percussions. Two performances have been recorded there, in front of Lake Pomun, at nightfall. Patrick FReMEAUX