Jeju Field-Burning Festival 제주 들불축제

One of the most wonderfully strange traditions I have come across in Jeju so far: the Jeju Field-Burning Festival.  {제주 들불축제}

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The festival {Jeongwol Daeboreum Festival} dates back hundreds of years to when local farmers would burn their fields as a way to cleanse the area of disease, forget the old year, and pray for good health and harvest in the coming Korean lunar year. The festival was banned in the 1970's due to a high risk of wildfire {Jeju Island is incredibly windy}, but was brought back by popular demand. Hard to imagine this kind of tradition ever happening in America! The entire hill is doused in kerosene and literally lit on fire. On the hill is a large emblem in Korean writing, {and "2014" for the new year}, which glow in a chain reaction as the fire catches all over the oreum. Impressive fireworks explode next, and rain their own sparks onto the huge bonfire below. It happens incredibly quick.  

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Folk dancing, mobile food carts selling hot dogs and fried fish on a stick, fire dancers, fireworks, and local crafts are all part of the chaos and fun. The traffic was a mess, as thousands travel to experience the festival first-hand. 

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{The oreum shortly before the torches were lit to begin the massive bonfire. All of the tents were selling souvenirs or street food, carnival style.}

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{THE FIRE!}

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{And what's a huge, barely contained wildfire without a few fireworks?}

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{Just a few freezing foreigners!}

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