제사 (jae sa)
제사 is the Korean term for a memorial service for someone who has passed in the family. We had one last night for my grandfather (dad's dad). I think it's usually done at the first son's house.
Basically you put out a bunch of good food on a table as a gift to the deceased, and then "everyone" bows (full bows to the ground, not half bows) in order of "importance" to the deceased. I put the word importance in quotes because this is a very tricky term in Korean Confucian history.
When I say "everyone", I don't mean everyone, I mean the Korean "everyone". You would think that it would be everyone, but no, it's just the men. The women just prepare the food and stand in the back. That's it. After the ceremony is completed, the women serve the food on the tables and we eat together. (the men eat first of course, following the pattern here) Then the women clean up the tables.
The order of "importance" is:
1. first son of deceased
2. first son of first son of deceased
3. first son of first son of first son of deceased etc until all first sons are finished
4. second son of deceased
5. second son of first son of deceased
6. first son of second son of deceased
7. in-law son of first daughter
8. in-law son of second daughter etc.
9. etc... (I think you get the point here)
10. anyone else that's left that has a penis
This is age old history.
Basically you put out a bunch of good food on a table as a gift to the deceased, and then "everyone" bows (full bows to the ground, not half bows) in order of "importance" to the deceased. I put the word importance in quotes because this is a very tricky term in Korean Confucian history.
When I say "everyone", I don't mean everyone, I mean the Korean "everyone". You would think that it would be everyone, but no, it's just the men. The women just prepare the food and stand in the back. That's it. After the ceremony is completed, the women serve the food on the tables and we eat together. (the men eat first of course, following the pattern here) Then the women clean up the tables.
The order of "importance" is:
1. first son of deceased
2. first son of first son of deceased
3. first son of first son of first son of deceased etc until all first sons are finished
4. second son of deceased
5. second son of first son of deceased
6. first son of second son of deceased
7. in-law son of first daughter
8. in-law son of second daughter etc.
9. etc... (I think you get the point here)
10. anyone else that's left that has a penis
This is age old history.
posted by Jimmy at
8:20 PM
8 Comments:
Are there memorial services for women too? And is the order the same there?
There are yes, but they're not considered as "important". Basically that means you won't get as much turnout from the family as you would for a man.
The order is the same there as well. Funny huh?
this makes me want to go to korea, eat hella and get wasted, and get the f&*ck out of there. ha. no offense. if misogyny is embedded in the culture to that degree than no wonder me & v can't get someone to take our order at korean restaraunts.
if you come in as a tourist and a tourist only, and you only stay in seoul, you won't notice it too much. the outside world is very modern "seeming". if you wander away from seoul or visit my family with me or something, then you will feel it.
yea but i think i definitely would want to visit the countryside & people's families and stuff too if i was going to be there... (contradicting self)
families are fun.
i just remembered this korean movie about a deaf grandma and her spoiled grandchild who is forced to live with her in her hut in the woods, and it made me want a chocopie. do you know this movie??
hehe no, I don:t really know korean movies. sorry. Let me know if you figured it out because you made me want to watch it. I secretly like chocopies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_Home
It's called The Way Home or 집으로
It's really sweet...
Hahahaha anyone left that has a penis. Classic.
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