Koreans and Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday came together to celebrate the Korean Lunar New Year, known as “Seollal,” through a showcase of traditional Korean games and cultural exchange.
Organized by the Korea Cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN), the event featured exciting traditional games such as Gong-gi, Jegi-Chagi, and Ttakji-Chigi, alongside an array of Korean snacks, creating a vibrant atmosphere of festivity and cultural appreciation.
Seollal, the Korean equivalent of the Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is regarded as the most significant traditional Korean holiday. It is a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and wish for good fortune in the coming year.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Yujin Lee, KCCN’s Cultural Event Manager, emphasized the importance of Seollal in Korean culture, drawing parallels with the Chuseok festival, which is akin to Thanksgiving.
“Seollal is very significant because it gives us the opportunity to thank our ancestors. With this Lunar New Year celebration, we always focus on traditional games such as Gong-gi and Jegi-Chagi, which bring people together,” Lee said.
Ms. Jennifer Ezeonyeasi, Cultural Events and Communications Officer at KCCN, highlighted that Seollal follows the Korean Lunar New Year calendar and is a moment of joyous celebration akin to January 1 in other parts of the world.
“To make this event remarkable, we incorporated traditional Korean games, especially with the popularity of ‘Squid Game,’ which showcased some of these cultural elements to a global audience,” she said.
According to Ezeonyeasi, the traditional board game ‘Yutnori’—which involves throwing wooden sticks to move pieces on a board—is commonly played during Seollal celebrations. Other games, such as Gong-gi and Jegi-Chagi, involve tossing stones or keeping an item airborne with the foot, similar to how Nigerian children played in the past.
“This event is about sharing Korean culture with Nigerians and highlighting the similarities between the two cultures. It shows that Nigeria and Korea have a common cultural thread, and this exchange strengthens our bond,” she added.
For attendees, the event was an opportunity to engage with Korean traditions firsthand. Ms. Nimat Ajaji, who won the ‘Yutnori’ game, described the experience as unforgettable.
“I have been following Korean culture for the past 12 years, and I love it. The ‘Yutnori’ game, which was traditionally played by Korean farmers to usher in the New Year and pray for good luck, was particularly exciting,” Ajaji said.
Another participant, Mrs. Ene Igwe, expressed her delight at the interactive nature of the event.
“The Korean community carrying Nigerians along in their activities is commendable. My teammates and I won the Jegi-Chagi, Ddakji-Chigi, and Gong-gi Nori games, and it was such a fun experience,” Igwe said.
She encouraged lovers of Korean culture to explore such events, noting that every country has its unique way of celebrating the New Year.
The event reinforced the growing cultural ties between Nigeria and Korea, showcasing the beauty of shared traditions and mutual appreciation.
