Introduction
Pumassi, deeply ingrained in Korean culture, epitomizes the essence of mutual aid and reciprocity. From agricultural endeavors to communal gatherings, this tradition fosters a sense of community harmony and shared responsibility. Let’s explore the significance of Pumassi in Korean society.
Pumassi: Cultivating Community in Korean Society
Pumassi, throughout its history, Korea has placed a high value on community over individualism, reflected in its customs and culture. This emphasis on communal living has fostered a culture of sharing and collaboration, where activities are often done collectively rather than alone. One such custom familiar to Koreans is called “pumassi”.
A foreign student who began his college life in Korea recounted a scene that surprised him upon arrival. He mentioned going to McDonald’s with Korean students and being taken aback when they so naturally poured the French fries they ordered onto the table’s center, sharing them without assigning an order. This sight was likely very unfamiliar to Western students accustomed to more individualistic behaviors.
Koreans are generally comfortable with collective activities, which are deeply ingrained in their everyday routines. Instances like what the foreign student encountered occur frequently. Despite the increasing influence of Western culture on younger generations, Korea maintains a strong tradition of communal living.
In the documentary “In the Land of the Morning Calm” published in 1915 by German Catholic missionary Norbert Weber, he observed Korea’s adherence to the Benedictine principle of ‘pray and work’ through the practice of “pumassi”. Weber expressed his surprise at Korea’s well-established familial and communal culture, which prioritizes community welfare over individual interests.
Understanding “Pumassi”: A Traditional Korean Custom
Pumassi is a traditional Korean custom rooted in communal labor and mutual assistance. The term “pumassi” combines “pum,” meaning labor, with “assi,” encompassing acts of giving, receiving, and repaying.
Pumassi involves one-to-one exchange labor without monetary compensation, primarily focused on agricultural tasks such as sowing, plowing fields, planting rice, and harvesting, as well as daily labor like house construction and repair, tree cutting, and salt production. This custom typically occurs within villages but may extend to neighboring communities when additional labor is needed. It relies on trust and mutual recognition, with participants acknowledging each other’s circumstances rather than assigning a fixed value to individual labor contributions.
The scope of it extends beyond farming activities to include tasks like food preparation and clothing production for special occasions. Alongside ‘dure,’ pumassi represents one of the oldest communal labor methods in Korea, historically facilitating efficient agricultural work in a predominantly agrarian society.
Even in modern times, pumassi remains relevant as an idiom symbolizing mutual assistance in personal relationships, encompassing various aspects such as cultural exchange and childcare.
This traditional labor exchange system in Korea operates on the principle of reciprocity and mutual aid within small groups within a village community. Originally, labor was evaluated equally regardless of gender or age, reflecting the belief that all human labor holds equal value. This foundational concept underpins the practice of pumassi.
While “dure” involves forced labor within the entire village community, pumassi focuses on voluntary joint labor among smaller groups within the village, often between relatives or close acquaintances. Participants must share a mindset of mutual assistance and loyalty, sometimes stemming from similar life circumstances.
Families visiting the village often exchange labor with each other, highlighting the cooperative nature of poomasi. This system institutionalizes the practice of reciprocity, where individuals repay each other’s assistance with help when needed.
The Saemaeul Movement: An Example of Pumassi
In the 20th century, traditional labor practices in Korea declined. By the 1970s, South Korea had undergone significant transformations. In pursuit of modernizing rural areas, the Saemaeul Movement emerged as a prominent initiative. Also known as the New Community Movement or New Village Movement, it was spearheaded by the government of Park Chung-hee.
The Saemaul Movement aimed to boost agricultural competitiveness and foster community engagement. Its success has garnered international recognition, inspiring similar poverty alleviation initiatives like the ‘New Millennium Village Plan’ endorsed by the United Nations. With its influence spreading to 74 countries, including Tanzania’s plan to replicate its model, the movement continues to attract global interest and admiration.
The Saemaeul Movement, initiated in 1970, remains a national endeavor focused on community development, emphasizing values of diligence, self-help, and cooperation among residents. While this initiative is a government-sponsored endeavor, it embodies the essence of pumassi. Within every village, individuals devoted their time to the advancement of the community.
Kimchi-Making Tradition: A Form of Pumassi
Until the 1970s, village kimchi-making was a significant annual event. However, this practice has dwindled in modern times due to several factors. The rise of nuclear families, the westernization of diets, and the prevalence of eating out have led to a decrease in the amount of kimchi consumed per household. Additionally, urbanization and the rise of apartment living have contributed to the decline of neighborhood culture, as well as the disappearance of traditional methods of storing kimchi, such as burying crockpots in the ground.
The widespread adoption of refrigerators has also played a role in the decline of traditional kimchi making, as it has made the old storage methods obsolete. Furthermore, advancements in preservation technology and greenhouse cultivation have made it possible to produce kimchi year-round, leading to the commercialization of kimchi and further diminishing the need for homemade varieties.
As a result of these changes, the term “gimpojok” has emerged to describe individuals who no longer make their kimchi but instead purchase it from stores.
Kimchi-Making Pumassi by an Organization
Nonetheless, this tradition endures not only among large families in rural regions but also among charitable organizations and volunteers who provide kimchi to those in need within the community.
The Significance of Pumassi in Korean Society
Within the fabric of rural communities, the ethos of pumassi intertwines with daily life, serving as a beacon of communal harmony and shared responsibility. Originating from a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in Korean culture, pumassi epitomizes the essence of mutual aid and reciprocity.
As a timeless practice, pumassi encompasses various facets of rural existence, from agricultural endeavors to the construction of homes and communal facilities. Its essence lies in the voluntary exchange of labor, where individuals come together, irrespective of age or gender, to support one another in collective endeavors.
Beyond its practical implications, pumassi embodies a deeper sense of community solidarity, fostering bonds of kinship and camaraderie among villagers. It is not merely a transaction of labor but a manifestation of shared values and a commitment to the common good.
In contemporary times, while the landscape of rural Korea has evolved with modernization and technological advancement, the spirit of this labor-sharing practice endures. It manifests in diverse forms, from informal gatherings to organized community projects, each embodying the timeless principles of mutual assistance and collective action.
Thus, pumassi stands as a testament to the resilience of traditional values in the face of societal change, a cherished legacy that continues to enrich the fabric of rural life in Korea.
These labor exchanges still exist today, although they have undergone significant changes. With the development of a monetary consciousness in modern rural society, the notion of equality in labor, which was once the foundation of these exchanges, has become influenced by more rational calculations.
The Evolving Displays of Pumassi in Contemporary Society
The agricultural workforce has notably dwindled due to challenges in labor exchange stemming from the spread of farm machinery, declining birth rates, and an aging population. Information from the Korea Statistics Portal (KOSIS) in 2017 indicated that the average yearly hours dedicated to pumassi in rural Korea were 13.4 in 2016. This reflects a significant decrease from the 1960s and 1970s, during which people engaged in pumassi for over 100 hours per year.
Source: Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea
Originally, pumassi involved only human labor, but now they may also include the labor of cattle, machinery, and even hired workers. This shift reflects the increasing prevalence of wage labor, which has transformed pumassi from purely reciprocal exchanges or gifts of human resources to more transactional arrangements.
Despite these changes, pumassi still play a role in various aspects of life for Koreans, including funerals, weddings, and other communal events, in addition to their historical association with kimchi-making.
The younger generation has a culture of helping each other with tasks like moving, which can be seen as a contemporary form of support akin to traditional pumassi. Another modern-day form of it involves leaving positive comments on Instagram or other social media platforms among friends or colleagues.
In Korea, there is a notable resurgence of interest in Pumassi. The establishment of the H2O Pumassi Movement Headquarters in 1998 signifies not only a reevaluation of domestic Pumassi practices but also an active effort to promote our country’s traditions globally. Moreover, Pumassi groups have been established in various regions, engaging in a range of impactful activities.
These initiatives extend beyond traditional labor exchanges, encompassing support in childcare, education, blood donation, culinary assistance, and even talent contributions. This exemplifies the integration of a sharing economy ethos into everyday life in Korea.
‘Pumassi’ stands as a proud testament to humanity’s ethos of communal sharing. Thus, we must continue to reevaluate and evolve Pumassi to ensure its enduring relevance and impact.
Conclusion
As a timeless practice, Pumassi continues to play a vital role in Korean communities, embodying values of cooperation and solidarity. Its adaptability to modern times underscores its enduring relevance, serving as a testament to the resilience of traditional values in the face of societal change.
