Omegi-sul is a traditional alcohol beverage made of only millet and yeast that represents traditional liquor as well as showing an example of peculiar culture of Jeju island. Omegi-sul played not only an important role in itself, but also formed a par...
Omegi-sul is a traditional alcohol beverage made of only millet and yeast that represents traditional liquor as well as showing an example of peculiar culture of Jeju island. Omegi-sul played not only an important role in itself, but also formed a part of Jeju culture of cuisine.
However, Omegi-sul, which had a great deal of influence on Jeju culture, has been in danger of disappearing due to changing a living culture caused by industrialization. Therefore, I(researcher) have conducted the following research to reveal the value of cultural heritage of Omegi-sul that contains the lives of Jeju people.
First, I have studied the background of Jeju traditional alcohol including Omegi-sul and also look into the history and current status. Second, I have researched the process of brewing and usage of Omegi-sul by interviewing with participant of the study who has an experiences of making Omegi-sul. In addition, I have analyzed the public value of Omegi-sul that was used for 74th April 3rd Spirits commemoration by examining the brewing process. Third, I have explained the differences the usage of Omegi-sul between the eastern and western regions through analyzing the soil environment and resulting from agricultural productivity.
Jeju people have cultivated various grains such as millet, barely etc in the barren volcanic soil. Among the grains Jeju people grow, millet can be found in most of areas in Jeju, so, Jeju people brewed Omegi-sul using esay-to-find millet and barely yeast. Although the brewing process of Omegi-sul has a complicated process of making from rice cake to alcohol, it was the best method that Jeju people have found over a long period of time and experiences. From public ceremonies which held in Gaeksa and Hyanggyo to private ceremonies such as ritual for ancestors, holidays, and the four ceremonial occasion, Omegi-sul has been the most important offering in Jeju. In Dang ritual, it also played a role to communicate between gods and humans. Furthermore, Omegi-sul was a representative alcohol in Jeju and contributed to increase agricultural productivity. However, unlike other uses, its usage as a beverage or farmer's drink differed on the regions. The differences were caused by different soil, and the gap of agricultural productivity come from different soil have brought regional different in the production and usage of Omegi-sul.
In Jeju, Omegi-sul has more meaning than just alcohol. Jeju provincial government has designated Omegi-sul as intangible cultural heritage No 3 in order to preserve. However, more attention and support are needed to preserve and utilize Omegi-sul. The most important thing is that Jeju people should have a chance to experience and make it. To achieve the purpose, public institutions should include the class of making Jeju traditional alcohol beverage. In addition, There should be a system that people who have completed the class should be able to receive help from specialized institutions to start a related business. Second, For cultural preservation, administrative guidance is needed to use Jeju traditional alcohol for public ceremonies which were supported by Jeju provincial government subsidies. Lastly, linking festivals related to food culture, such as the Jeju Onggi Festival, will bring synergistic effects to both. these are my suggestions for the activation of Omegi-sul.