Last Tuesday, 13 February, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) held its first Korean craft workshop of the year using one of the finest materials in traditional Korean craft art, the Mother-of-Pearl.
The participants were introduced to the exquisite beauty of the Korean mother-or-pearl craft art, decorating a key ring that had a shape of hahoetal, a symbolic mask in traditional Korean culture.
What is Hahoetal?
Hahoetal is a traditional Korean mask deeply rooted in Korean culture. Crafted from paper or wood, these masks feature vibrant colors and intricate designs, with exaggerated expressions portraying various characters, emotions, and creatures. They play a pivotal role in Korean folk art and performances.
Traditional mask dance is a cultural treasure, designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Korean government, showcasing the masks' significance in preserving Korea's rich cultural heritage. Hahoetal masks continue to be celebrated in festivals, museums, and cultural exhibitions, embodying the essence of Korean folklore and artistic expression.
What is Mother-of-Pearl?
Mother-of-Pearl lacquerware is Korea's representative luxury craft that has been passed down for a thousand years since the Goryeo Dynasty. The shells of abalone or shellfish are ground into thin slices, then cut with a saw or file, and the brilliant Mother-of-Pearl is pasted or embedded on the surface of the lacquerware for beautiful decoration.
Learn more about the ongoing and future events of the KCCSA at the links below.
- Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa