Residents keep thatching tradition alive at Suncheon's Naganeupseong folk village

Residents of Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon are keeping alive the traditional practice of laying new thatched roofing on their homes.

Workers have begun laying fresh thatched roofing at Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon, as the rice harvest reaches its peak in mid-October.

The thatching work typically takes place between October and December, when freshly harvested rice straw is readily available and the agricultural off-season gives residents time to carry out the labor-intensive repairs.

The village, where 301 thatched houses stand in clusters and residents actually live, has allocated a total project budget of 1.37 billion won ($1.02 million) for the work.

Straw harvested from the Nagane plain is woven into thatch panels and laid onto the rooftops. The old thatch must be stripped away and replaced with new panels every year to prevent leaks.

However, an aging rural population is shrinking the pool of skilled workers who can twist straw rope and carry out rooftop thatching, raising concerns that the craft could die out not only at Naganeupseong but also at historic sites such as Yangdong Village in Gyeongju.

The annual thatching work at Naganeupseong goes beyond routine maintenance — it passes down traditional skills and living culture while preserving the historical and cultural value of a village where people still make their homes.

The sight of the village mid-thatching is expected to add to the atmosphere of the 31st Suncheon Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival, set to run Oct. 24 and Oct. 25.

"Against the backdrop of freshly thatched homes, visitors will be treated to a rich array of performances, folk games and hands-on activities," an official from the Naganeupseong Support Project Office said.