A Phenomenological Study on Residents’ Participation in the Gijisi Tug-of-War, Intangible Cultural Heritage

This study explored how Gijisi Juldarigi, an intangible cultural heritage of Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, is perceived and experienced by local residents by analyzing their participation experiences. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 residents who had participated in the event, using Giorgi’s phenomenological research method. The findings reveal that while some participants formed emotional bonds through shared experiences with family or acquaintances, most festival participation was largely formal and characterized by a tendency to perceive Gijisi Juldarigias an objectified, external heritage. Although UNESCO inscription enhanced a sense of pride among residents, it did not necessarily lead to deeper engagement with the practice itself. Moreover, the traditional format of the festival, which emphasizes preservation, failed to resonate with younger generations, further widening the cultural gap. Repetitive festival content and auxiliary programs limited active engagement, while generational and inter-village disconnections, along with the concentration of agency in a few individuals, restricted the broader diffusion of communal identity. The implications of these findings are as follows. To address the challenges facing Gijisi Juldarigi, it is necessary to develop storytelling content grounded in its symbolic and historical significance and to establish structural foundations that can attract youth and external participants. Intergenerational cooperation-such as collaborative rope-making and village-level league competitions-should be promoted to strengthen generational integration and the sense of community. Additionally, practical transmission structures, such as training cultural interpreters and operating creative experimental spaces based on Gijisi Juldarigi, must be established. Long-term strategies should also include the continuous development of goods utilizing the rope as a symbolic medium in everyday life. The findings of this study suggest that the transmission of intangible cultural heritage should not be the exclusive domain of a specific group, but should occur through participatory and collective practices involving the entire local community.