History of Gangneung Danoje

• First

  Ancient Origins: The Roots of a Thousand-Year Festival Historical Records from the 3rd Century
  According to the 3rd-century Chinese historical text, Sanguozhi (Records of the Three Kingdoms), specifically the Book of Wei, Biographies of the Eastern Barbarians, Gangneung was the ancient territory of the tribal state known as Dongye.
  In Dongye, there was a grand communal festival called 'Mucheon' (literally "Dance to Heaven"). During this time, the people performed sacred rituals for the heavenly gods and gathered together—regardless of gender—to share in food, drink, and dance. This ancient spirit of communal worship and celebration serves as the earliest foundation of today's Gangneung Danoje.

• Second

  Records of the Early Goryeo Period
  According to the "Biography of Wang Sun-sik" in the Goryeo-sa (History of Goryeo), there is a significant record of a ritual offered to the Mountain Spirit of Daegwallyeong.
  Wang Sun-sik, an influential general, performed this ceremony to honor the mountain spirit who was believed to have provided divine assistance in securing a military victory for King Taejo Wang Geon (the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty). This record serves as historical evidence that Daegwallyeong has been the spiritual and religious center of the Yeongdong region since the early days of the Goryeo Dynasty.

• Third

  The Joseon Dynasty: A Festival of Unity Between the State and the People Records by the Eminent Scholar Heo Gyun (1603)
  Detailed accounts of the festival can be found in Seongso Bubugo, the collected works of Heo Gyun (1569–1618), a prominent intellectual and writer of the Joseon Dynasty.
  In his writings, Heo Gyun recorded his experience of the Dano rituals dedicated to the Mountain Spirit of Daegwallyeong in 1603. His records are particularly significant as they describe the festival's unique character at the time: an event organized and led by the local government (Gwan) with the passionate participation of the common people (Min). This illustrates that by the early 17th century, the Gangneung Danoje had already evolved into a grand communal celebration that bridged the gap between the ruling class and the public..

• Fourth

  The Archetype of Joseon Festivals: Eupchi Seonghwangje Preserving the Authentic Form of Local Guardian Rituals
  During the Joseon Dynasty, the Gangneung Danoje Festival was a representative form of Eupchi Seonghwangje—a ritual dedicated to the guardian deity of the local administrative center.
  Unlike many other events, these rituals were officially organized by local government officials, led by the Hojang (local headman) and supported by the Isok (local administrative clerks). While the state provided the organizational structure, the heart of the festival was fueled by the common people and their deep-rooted Shamanistic beliefs.
  Today, Gangneung Danoje stands as the only festival in Korea that has perfectly preserved this original archetype. It remains a rare and precious window into the communal spirit and ritualistic traditions that defined Korean society centuries ago.

Development of the Dano Festival in Gangneung

• First

  The Crisis During the Japanese Colonial Period
  In the 1920s, during the Japanese colonial rule, the Gangneung Danoje Festival faced a severe crisis. The Daeseonghwangsa, the central guardian shrine located in downtown Gangneung and the heart of the festival's spiritual rites, was forcibly demolished.
  This destruction led to a significant distortion and loss of the festival's traditional content. Most notably, the collapse of the Daeseonghwangsa threatened the long-standing tradition of the festival as a joint collaboration between the local government and the people, which had been its defining characteristic for centuries. Despite these attempts to suppress Korean cultural identity, the spirit of Dano survived through the resilience of the local community.

• Second

  Preservation through Resilience: The Survival of Dano Kept Alive by the People (The Colonial Period)
  During the Japanese colonial period, the Gangneung Danoje Festival was maintained on a small scale, primarily through the dedicated efforts of the merchants at the Jungang (Central) Market. It was during this era that the festival's venue was moved to its current location—the banks of the Namdaecheon Stream.
  Despite the suppression and the reduced scale, the fundamental elements of the festival were faithfully preserved and passed down. These core components included
  Sacred Rituals: The ceremonies honoring the Guksa Seonghwangsin (National Preceptor Guardian Deity) through both formal Confucian rituals and vibrant Shamanic rites (Gut).
  Folk Traditions: Various traditional folk games that brought the community together.
  The Nanjang: The bustling open-air market, which remained the heartbeat of the festival's communal spirit.

• Third

  Formal Institutionalization and the People's Festival
  A major milestone was reached in 1967 when the Gangneung Danoje Festival was officially recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 13. This designation not only confirmed its value as a representative cultural treasure of Korea but also ensured that its traditions would be preserved with professional care.
  Since 1975, the festival has been managed by the Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee, marking its evolution into a community-driven celebration. By transitioning from government oversight to private leadership, the festival successfully reclaimed its identity as a celebration by and for the people. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of community spirit and civic dedication.

• Fourth

  While the Gangneung Danoje Festival began as a celebration rooted in rural and agricultural traditions, it has successfully evolved into a vibrant urban festival through the era of industrialization. In the context of Korea’s rapid modernization, the festival is now widely recognized as a vital conduit for the transmission of traditional culture and a premier site for experiential education. By blending its ancient roots with the energy of contemporary city life, Gangneung Danoje continues to serve as a living bridge that connects the wisdom of the past with the generations of the future.