South Korea marked the third annual Sericulture Day on May 10, 2024, with celebrations and traditional rituals to honor the silkworm industry [1].
The event highlights the cultural and economic importance of sericulture, a traditional industry that historically provided stability and income for rural farming households.
Approximately 300 people [1], including workers from the sericulture industry, attended the commemorations. The program featured the "Pungjam Giwonje," a traditional ritual ceremony performed to pray for a bountiful harvest of silkworm cocoons [1].
Lim Seok-jong, the president of the Korea Sericulture Association, participated in the events to emphasize the historical significance of the trade. He said that the success of silkworm harvests once played a critical role in determining the income of farming families [1].
"At that time, because a bumper crop of silkworm cocoons had a great impact on the income of farming households, there is significance in finding stability in life through a bountiful cocoon harvest," Lim said [1].
Sericulture Day was established as a legal anniversary in 2023 [1]. The designation of May 10 [1] as the official date allows the industry to reflect on its history while seeking ways to sustain the tradition in a modern economic landscape. The gathering served as both a professional network for the 300 attendees [1] and a spiritual appeal for agricultural success.
By combining the formal anniversary with the Pungjam Giwonje ritual, the association aims to bridge the gap between ancient farming practices and the current needs of sericulture practitioners. The event underscores the enduring link between the natural cycle of silkworm rearing and the financial security of those who maintain the craft [1].
“Approximately 300 people, including workers from the sericulture industry, attended the commemorations.”
The formalization of Sericulture Day as a legal anniversary reflects a state-level effort to preserve traditional agricultural knowledge. By linking economic stability to the success of the silkworm harvest, the industry is attempting to maintain its cultural relevance and visibility in a rapidly urbanizing South Korea.
