Bukcheong; Collective Memories; Cultural Archetype; Diaspora; Human Rights; Identity; Korean War; Lion Dance; Living Human Treasures; North Korea; Saja Noreum; Sokcho; South Korea;

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This paper aims to explore how the transmission of intangible cultural heritage contributes to the identity of a community through Saja Noreum, a folk play which has been re-created at Abai Village, Cheongho-dong, Sokcho. The play embraces the memories of the villagers' hometown, Bukcheong, in North Korea, the Korean War, the national division and the loss of their home. People of the diaspora identify themselves as the 'Sokcho people from Bukcheong'. This is also manifested in their changing the name of the play from Sokcho Bukcheong Saja Noreum to Sokcho Saja Noreum. This transition is analysed in terms of some of the main factors of intangible cultural heritage: self-identification, constant re-creation as a response to the historical and social evolution of the community and groups concerned, the connection of heritage to the identity of its creators and bearers, the authenticity of the heritage, and the interrelationship between intangible cultural heritage and human rights. Saja Noreum is a living expression and an important link between South and North Korea.