A little description for Ganggangsullae!

Ganggangsullae is a Korean traditional folk dance and song during which women formed a large circle. It is famously known to have been performed during the Japanese invasion of Korea in late 16th century. The Japanese naval force attacked the peninsula with about 133 battleships while Korea only had about 12. The Korean soldiers were completely outnumbered. It was obvious that Korea would have defeated so easily and ceded to the Japanese. However the renowned naval commander Yi Sunshin considered a great hero in Korea, used his outstanding tactics including Hakikjin(well-spread formation of ships) and utilized Korea’s geographic advantage. Eventually, his leadership led to an unexpected victory of Korea.

Ganggangsullae was also one of Yi Sunshin’s strategies. He used the circular motion to make his army look greater in number from a distance. Women were dressed in military uniforms and danced the Ganggangsullae on top of a high mountain. As a result, the Japanese thought there were more troops in Korea than reality. From this famous account, Ganggangsullae became an important part of Korea’s heritage, and it is still being danced, especially during cultural holidays such as Korea’s Thanksgiving Day or celebration of full moon during fall.    

Gangangsullae was usually danced by young women and the elders within their family or community. During the night of a special holiday in the backyard, they formed a circle by holding each other’s hands and move in a circular motion.

The lyrics reflect the life of young women and their role in society, yet they tend to vary by region and are sometimes newly created with the chorus of “Ganggangsullae” repeated at the end of each verse. Here I will introduce one version of the song in English translation.

Lyrics:   

강강술래       강강술래

  딸아딸아      막내딸아        강강술래

  발을벗고      샘에가냐        강강술래

  텃논팔아      신사주랴        강강술래

  텃밭팔아      종사주리        강강술래

  신도싫고      종도싫고        강강술래

  저 건네       묵은밭에        강강술래

검은 석포라   달려주게        강강술래

My daughter, my daughter, my youngest daughter Ganggangsullae

Are you going to the fountain with your bare feet? Ganggangsullae

Should I sell the rice paddy to buy you a pair of shoes Ganggangsullae

or should I sell the farm to buy you a servant? Ganggangsullae

I don’t need neither shoes nor a servant, Ganggangsullae……