Traditional mangtae bags, once a common sight in rural life, are now on display at a special exhibition. The Thatched-Roof Living History Museum announced on June 18 that it will host the exhibition titled 'Original It-Bag: Mangtae' in Seoul and Miryang, showcasing various mangtae and traditional weaving techniques recorded from rural, mountainous, and coastal areas across the country.
Mangtae, a traditional carrying tool made from straw and grass, was essential for transporting grains, firewood, agricultural products, and household items. Depending on the region, it is known by various names, including mangtaegi, geureokmang, melmangtae, and jungtae. It is regarded as a cultural heritage that embodies the skills and labor associated with handling natural materials, as well as the environmental and lifestyle experiences of local communities.
This exhibition particularly highlights 15 different weaving structures of mangtae, based on materials collected and documented by the museum since the 1990s through field surveys across the country. Even within the same type of mangtae, variations in structure and form have developed according to their intended use and regional environments. The exhibition aims to showcase the diversity and creativity of traditional Korean living technologies through these weaving structures.
The Seoul exhibition features a variety of mangtae artifacts, including kkolmangtae, seed mangtae, sickle mangtae, egg mangtae, lunchbox mangtae, and spoon mangtae, along with photographs, video records, production tools, and materials such as rice straw, barley straw, bulrush, and reeds. Participatory programs like the 'Large Mangtae Collaborative Production Project' will also be held. In Miryang, a 'Weaving Craft Workshop' will take place, featuring local artisan Park Ho-jin and national artists.
Lee Jeong-ah, a curator, stated, "Mangtae is not just a simple tool but a cultural record that encapsulates the lives, labor, and skills of producers. We hope this exhibition will provide an opportunity to reconsider the value of traditional living technologies and experience the process through which the culture of producers connects to the language of contemporary creators."
The Thatched-Roof Living History Museum specializes in collecting, researching, and exhibiting various daily tools and traditional lifestyles made from straw and grass.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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