Researchers analyse Incheon to mark ‘Year of Incheon Folklore’ next year

The coastal waters around Yeonpyeong Island, which is a representative blue crab fishery in Korea, is a competitive place among fishermen trying to secure a good spot. Rarely do people know, however, that this place was not the center of catching blue crabs but yellow corvinas. This is because catching yellow corvinas came to a halt ever since1968.

A folklore research report of Incheon, which analyzed the depth of the Incheon area that incorporates various aspects of Korea’s modern history, and various industrial complexes within downtown Incheon was published. Ahead of the “Year of Incheon Folklore” next year, the report was created based on a folklore research jointly conducted by the National Folk Museum of Korea and Incheon City last year.

The report is comprised of 12 books in total with six volumes of ethnography that records the lives of residents in fishing and farming villages and industrial complex and six volume of research report by themes written by experts in the Incheon region.

One place was reinvestigated in 70 years. It was Seondupo at Ganghwa Island, where Cornelius Osgood (1905-1985), a former professor of Yale University who investigated the folklore of the region from July 7, 1947 to September 1, 1947. Changes in the lives of people living the area were investigated again this time.

The National Folk Museum is planning to open a “Special Exhibition of Incheon” based on this Report during the first half of next year.


Won-Mo Yu onemore@donga.com