The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa recently organized a hands-on event on Tuesday, 16 May, dedicated to the art of traditional Korean knots—a renowned craft called gyukbang. During this event, a group of eight participants had the opportunity to learn various knotting techniques, including dragonfly knots and leaf knots. They also experienced the creation of fish-shaped locks, a traditional form of lock made using these knots.

▲ Traditional knot workshop poster

▲ Workshop participants making traditional knots

One of the workshop participants, Tamia Modiselle, 23, expressed her thoughts, stating, "I find Korean traditional knots require greater concentration compared to sewing. I enrolled in this workshop to delve into the history of Korea, and I intend to share the process of creating these knots on my personal YouTube channel with my subscribers." Jane Malan, 45, another participant, echoed this sentiment, saying, "The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa seems to be the ideal destination for anyone seeking to learn about Korean traditions." 

▲Tamia Modiselle, 23, a workshop participant taking videos of her own knots

▲Workshop participants expressing satisfaction with the knots they made

This workshop served as an enlightening cultural lecture, introducing the captivating artistry of Korean handicrafts, which have been passed down through generations, to the host country.