Gangwon-do is famously known for its rugged mountains.

Although there are many different theories about the origin of the name "sanmegi," the general consensus is that it derives from "sanmeogi," which means 'feeding mountains.'

Sanmegi is therefore a ritual during which sacrificial offerings are made to mountain spirits.

By sacrificing to mountain gods, people of Gangwon-do hope to ensure the peace of ancestral spirits and the welfare of the village community and their own household.

The sanmegi custom is most actively practiced in rugged sections of Samcheok and Gangneung.

Although sanmegi is a ritual performed mostly by women, sometimes a monk well-versed in Buddhist scriptures or a shaman can preside over the ceremony.

Naemirori Village at the Daybreak, Bustling with Sanmegi Preparations

In Naemirori, sanmegi is performed in two different ways: as a family ritual within one's own household or as a village ritual. When sanmegi is held at a village level, villagers meet to together to decide on a household that will host the ritual.

Women prepare rice cakes known as "dunggeullaemi-tteok" for the ritual, which were traditionally made to prevent tiger attacks. The king of the forest was apparently fond of this rice pastry.

If a Buddhist monk or a shaman is called in to preside over the ritual, the costs are shared among residents of Naemirori. Once on the mountainside, the monk recites scriptures while striking a drum to ward off evil influences.

Then, they resume their upward march toward the summit of the mountain, where they will be holding an ancestral rite.

A sanmegi site with a rock pile

Each village and each household have their own sanmegi sites.

For the ancestral rite, they tie a piece of mulberry paper and a skein of thread, which are symbols of ancestors, to a rock.

For this rite, each household makes their own individual offerings and prays for their individual wishes to be fulfilled.

The main part of the ritual begins with the shaman's prayer. The mood is solemn and earnest, as everyone does their best to keep out malevolent influences that may interfere with the sacred proceedings underway.

The final chapter of sanmegi is the Dragon King rite. The rite takes place at a spring next to the mountain god shrine. People of Naemirori worship the Dragon King, as this community depends on both mountains and the sea for their livelihood.

To inhabitants of these areas who have relied on mountains for food and firewood for their entire life, mountains are nothing short of gods. They are their religion.

Sometimes, a shaman is used to get in contact with spirits. The shaman can tell fortunes as well as prescribe secret remedies to avoid bad luck or calamities.

People cut out large square pieces of cotton fabric and hang them on a designated tree in their yard. This custom of hanging cotton fabric pieces on trees is known as "offering new clothes to ancestors."

Simgok-ri, Yet Another Mountain Hamlet where Sanmegi is Performed

In Simgok-ri, the sanmegi rite is generally held by individual families; usually by two spouses, but sometimes accompanied by a daughter-in-law who will bear their descendants.

[Interview]: We are treating mountain spirits to food. One mustn't try to force one’s will on mountains.

Each household has a tree that they regard as a guardian god. Families hang a ritualistic straw rope called "san" on the branches of their guardian god tree.

The san is replaced every year by a new one at the time of the annual sanmegi rite. Families kneel down under their guardian god tree to pray for the wellbeing of their household.

Sacrificial food offered at the altar during the sanmegi rite is rather simple; usually rice with dried meat or fish and some fruits.

[Interview]: We feed mountains every year at the foot of this tree. This is how we pray for the safety and prosperity of our household.

After placing the sacrificial offerings on the altar, they take a portion of each dish to offer it to mountain spirits. After the rite, they throw a knife to ask the spirits if they were satisfied with the ceremony.

Families that attend the sanmegi ritual worship the sanmegi rope at their home. Nowadays, people place it in the kitchen and prepare an altar with food brought from the sanmegi rite.

To those who obey and live with nature, mountains are their very life as well as their gods.

This age-old custom of sanmegi is practiced still today as a means to be in spiritual contact with mountains.