TRADITIONAL ART
Korean seal craft-Jeongak presented in South Africa
KCC
20 July 2023
The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) showcased Korea's traditional seal craft called Jeongak to South Africans with a special workshop event held on 18 July. Participants were given an introductory lecture and an opportunity to try making the craft themselves.
Jeongak is a traditional Korean seal stamp that has been used for authentication and identification. It is a small, handheld object made of materials such as stone, jade, or wood, and is engraved with intricate designs and characters. The Jeongak is used to create a unique imprint or seal impression, which serves as a personal signature or official mark. In Korean culture, the jeongak holds deep historical and cultural significance, representing one's identity, authority, and social status. It is commonly used to validate important documents, artwork, or correspondence, and is considered a symbol of trust and authenticity. The art of creating and using jeongak has been passed down through generations, reflecting the respect for tradition and the importance of personal integrity in Korean society.
During the event, the participants made their own Jeongak carving their names or words/phrases that had special meanings to them with materials provided by the Centre.
Lzt Bloem (46), one of the most avid participants of the events hosted by the Centre, said “I have participated in many events hosted by the Centre because I like Korean culture, but I did not know much about traditional crafts. I am very happy to discover another aspect of Korean culture.”
Natasha de Agrela (47) said “Actually, my daughter is attending the Taekwondo class at the Centre. That's how I came to visit the Centre. I realize how beautiful Korean traditional crafts are. I feel like now I have become the fan of Korean culture," expressing her gratitude to the Centre for organizing the event.
This workshop event is part of the Korean traditional craft workshop series regularly provided by the Centre. The previous workshops included chopstick craft, calligraphy, traditional knots craft, and mother-of-pearl craft.
For more details about upcoming events at the Centre, visit their website at https://sa.korean-culture.org/.