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KMID : 0665420040190050556
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Korean Journal of Food Culture
2004 Volume.19 No. 5 p.556 ~ p.565
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A thought on Korea food culture and collectivity+
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Oh Se-Young
Lee Hun
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Abstract
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This study examined dietary culture in Korea regarding collectivism through literature review. Based on the evidence from the origin of lineage and traditional customs, the Koreans’ traditional collectivity appeared to have been grounded upon the northen nomadic culture emphasizing sentimental collectivity and harmonized with the characteristics of southern agrarian society related to mutual support and sociability. The inseparable relationship between collectivity and food was well revealed in the occasions such as rice-planting, kimchi and jang makings in which pooled labor was common as well as the gathering of mutual aid association. In these occasions, foods were offered and shared among members. Food sharing was a main activity and almost play a central role regarding the promotion of friendly relations among each other. In sacrificial memorials, food sharing was extended not only to the live persons but also to the passing spirits. Collectivity was also disclosed in the eating or table manners of Koreans. Koreans quite literally share food at every meal since the side dishes placed centrally on the table. The taste of Korean foods is completed inside the mouth by mixing foods with various combination, which let people create their own choice of taste. Therefore, the collectivity manners at the table appeared to be harmonized with individual freedom of creating his/her own taste of foods. The collectivity is still a very important concept in modem Korean dietary culture, as reflected by an increase of restaurants sewed shared dishes.
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KEYWORD
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food culture, collectivism, Korean
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