February 24 is Jongwoldaeborum , the fifteenth day of the first month by the lunar calendar. From olden times, the Korean ancestors have significantly celebrated it as a folk holiday next to lunar New Year’s Day.
Typical foods for the day are ogokbap and dishes made of nine species of dried greens.
Ogokbap is boiled rice mixed with four other cereals. The five cereals included rice, foxtail millet, sorghum, bean and red bean but sometimes they varied according to regions.
Dishes for the day are made of nine species of dried greens.
The nine species of dried greens did not indicate certain species but meant “a variety of” or “many” greens in connection with the number “nine.”
The locals in the Pyongyang area were fond of eating dried red pepper leaves, bracken, fern and goosefoot, which were called “black greens” as they were black.
Those in Hamgyong Province used dried platycodon, longleaf asiabell, aster and seaweed, and those in Kangwon Province, dried pumpkin and sliced radish and mushrooms.
People have said that dishes made of nine species of dried greens eaten on the day enable them to be resistant to summer heat and spend the year in good health.
The custom of taking such rice and dishes on the day is associated with strong pioneer spirit of the Korean people who created their own way of dietary life and food culture by making use of various materials available in their own localities as well as their love of the native land.
It reflects the habit of thrifty economic life of the Koreans who secured in advance dried vegetables, edible herbs and seaweeds and used them effectively in winter according to the climatic conditions of the country and their spirit of saving even a single material without any waste.
It also comprises the idea of a civilized regimen that they can live in good health only when they take ogokbap and various species of dried greens evenly, just as they can take in various nutrients only when they have a balanced diet, eating various foods.
The custom is still being carried forward, adding national flavour to the life of the Korean people.
Kim Jin Guk, researcher at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
Modern public buildings and production facilities have been built at the Tapsang Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province,
October 21, 2025
Modern public buildings and production facilities have been built at the Tapsang Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province,
The Korean Floriculture Association, a social organization established in January 2004, comprises officials, scientists,
October 21, 2025
The Korean Floriculture Association, a social organization established in January 2004, comprises officials, scientists,
The Kuryong Falls, 74m in vertical height, 84m long and 4m wide, is located in Outer Kumgang of Mt Kumgang in Kosong County,
October 21, 2025
The Kuryong Falls, 74m in vertical height, 84m long and 4m wide, is located in Outer Kumgang of Mt Kumgang in Kosong County,
Tower architecture is part of Korea’s cultural heritage. Tower originates from menhir. In the Bronze Age primitive men erected
October 21, 2025
Tower architecture is part of Korea’s cultural heritage. Tower originates from menhir. In the Bronze Age primitive men erected
New dwelling houses have been built at the Honam Farm of the Pyongyang Municipal Rural Economy Committee, adding to the joy and
October 21, 2025
New dwelling houses have been built at the Honam Farm of the Pyongyang Municipal Rural Economy Committee, adding to the joy and
Ryanggang Province of the DPRK has newly built a peat processing branch of the Paegam Coal Mine. The completion of the fuel
October 20, 2025
Ryanggang Province of the DPRK has newly built a peat processing branch of the Paegam Coal Mine. The completion of the fuel
The Sixth National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival was held last September at the Pyongyang International House of Culture to
October 20, 2025
The Sixth National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival was held last September at the Pyongyang International House of Culture to
An observation and forecast system against pests in forests is now in operation across the country. Developed by scientists in the
October 20, 2025
An observation and forecast system against pests in forests is now in operation across the country. Developed by scientists in the
Recently the medical technology exchange company under the Ministry of Railways has developed a modern treatment device using
October 20, 2025
Recently the medical technology exchange company under the Ministry of Railways has developed a modern treatment device using
Laudable Taekwon-Do players of the DPRK came back home on October 18 after demonstrating the honour of their country at the 23rd
October 20, 2025
Laudable Taekwon-Do players of the DPRK came back home on October 18 after demonstrating the honour of their country at the 23rd
New houses have been built in Paegam County, Ryanggang Province of the DPRK. The cosy houses built in Jungsan-ri and Yanggok-ri to
October 20, 2025
New houses have been built in Paegam County, Ryanggang Province of the DPRK. The cosy houses built in Jungsan-ri and Yanggok-ri to
The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory has introduced different kinds of new equipment to production. Among them is an automatic
October 19, 2025
The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory has introduced different kinds of new equipment to production. Among them is an automatic
Japan’s military moves for a thorough transformation into a war-capable state are reaching a dangerous phase day by day.It was mad
October 19, 2025
Japan’s military moves for a thorough transformation into a war-capable state are reaching a dangerous phase day by day.It was mad
The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated its 80th birthday. It enjoys international fame as a powerful party and a single-mindedly
October 19, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated its 80th birthday. It enjoys international fame as a powerful party and a single-mindedly
A research group of the Cutting-edge Agrotechnology Company of the Academy of Agricultural Science has built a new production
October 19, 2025
A research group of the Cutting-edge Agrotechnology Company of the Academy of Agricultural Science has built a new production
More dwelling houses have been built at the Unjong Stockbreeding Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee.
October 19, 2025
More dwelling houses have been built at the Unjong Stockbreeding Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee.
DPRK coach Ri Song Ho and DPRK player Choe Il Son were awarded the AFC Coach of the Year (Men) and the AFC Youth Player of the
October 19, 2025
DPRK coach Ri Song Ho and DPRK player Choe Il Son were awarded the AFC Coach of the Year (Men) and the AFC Youth Player of the
A Russian youth friendship visiting group led by Grigory Petushkov, chairman of the National Council of the Russian Association of
October 19, 2025
A Russian youth friendship visiting group led by Grigory Petushkov, chairman of the National Council of the Russian Association of
A delegation of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea headed by Ri Chol, director of the
October 19, 2025
A delegation of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea headed by Ri Chol, director of the
The Arch of Triumph stands at the foot of Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. It is a grand monument erected to hand down
October 18, 2025
The Arch of Triumph stands at the foot of Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. It is a grand monument erected to hand down
More Articles
