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)
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
July 01, 2025
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
July 01, 2025
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
July 01, 2025
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
July 01, 2025
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
June 30, 2025
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
June 30, 2025
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
June 30, 2025
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
June 30, 2025
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
June 29, 2025
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
June 29, 2025
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
The Electric Power Industry Research Institute under the Ministry of Electric Power Industry has made a progress in the effort to
June 29, 2025
The Electric Power Industry Research Institute under the Ministry of Electric Power Industry has made a progress in the effort to
The Musan Mining Complex is putting spurs to the iron ore concentrate production. Its output of ore concentrate has risen by 20
June 28, 2025
The Musan Mining Complex is putting spurs to the iron ore concentrate production. Its output of ore concentrate has risen by 20
Among Korea’s traditional therapies is a combination of smoking and steaming. Koreans have long used Ephedra sinica ,
June 28, 2025
Among Korea’s traditional therapies is a combination of smoking and steaming. Koreans have long used Ephedra sinica ,
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on June 23 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic DPRK-Russia
June 28, 2025
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on June 23 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic DPRK-Russia
In early January last year there held a consultative meeting, which brought together teachers of the table tennis department at
June 28, 2025
In early January last year there held a consultative meeting, which brought together teachers of the table tennis department at
The Applied Chemistry Institute of the Faculty of Chemistry at Kim Il Sung University developed highly effective noncombustible
June 27, 2025
The Applied Chemistry Institute of the Faculty of Chemistry at Kim Il Sung University developed highly effective noncombustible
Mass rallies took place in Pyongyang and all provinces, cities and counties of the DPRK on June 25, the day of struggle against US
June 27, 2025
Mass rallies took place in Pyongyang and all provinces, cities and counties of the DPRK on June 25, the day of struggle against US
On the occasion of June 25, the Korean people are further hardening their will to reliably defend justice, peace and socialism
June 27, 2025
On the occasion of June 25, the Korean people are further hardening their will to reliably defend justice, peace and socialism
The Pyongyang Golf Course is located in Thaesong-ri, Kangso District, Nampho, which is famous for its clear and fresh air
June 27, 2025
The Pyongyang Golf Course is located in Thaesong-ri, Kangso District, Nampho, which is famous for its clear and fresh air
Recently the Korean sportspeople have achieved good results in international competitions, flying their national flag in foreign
June 27, 2025
Recently the Korean sportspeople have achieved good results in international competitions, flying their national flag in foreign
More Articles
