Eumseong Pumba Festival (음성 품바축제)

The Eumseong Pumba Festival is rooted in the life of the late Choi Gwi-dong, often remembered as a saint of compassion and love. Although he lived with a disability himself, Choi traveled throughout Mugeuk-ri in Geumwang-eup collecting food—not for himself, but for beggars who were too weak even to beg. His life later inspired Father Oh Woong-jin to establish Kkottongnae, and his example of selfless service continues to inspire many today. Various explanations have been passed down regarding the origin of the word pumba. Traditionally, it refers to an onomatopoeic refrain used in gakseori taryeong, the songs associated with wandering performers and itinerant peddlers. The Eumseong Pumba Festival combines this traditional image of pumba with Choi Gwi-dong’s spirit of philanthropy and compassion. Although modern society enjoys greater material prosperity, spiritual emptiness and social inequality still remain. The festival was created around the idea that society can find catharsis through satire and humor and be healed through love and sharing. For this reason, the Eumseong Pumba Festival has become a unique cultural festival dedicated to putting the values of love, compassion, and sharing into practice.

Event Program

National Pumba Street Parade, Pumba House Building Competition, National Pumba Rapper Competition, Eumseong N Pumba Competition  

Start date

2026-06-10  

End Date

2026-06-14  

Performance Time

09:00-21:00  

Venue

Seolseong Park and Kkottongnae in Eumseong-eup  

Fee

Free  

Organizer

Eumseong Pumba Festival Planning Committee  

Host Company

Eumseong-gun Festival Organizing Committee  

Host's Contact Information

+82-43-871-3415  

Introduction

Pumba was the word repeated in the songs of street singers, especially when Korea was once impoverished. They strolled around marketplaces or villages seeking food, money, or anything they could get. Pumba doesn’t have a specific meaning but is a language mechanism for keeping a rhythm. These days, the word pumba generally refers to gakseori, a type of performance by performers who do not beg for food or money, but simply sing at events or festivals for entertainment. The Pumba Festival is held in Eumseong every year to celebrate this important part of Korea's modern history.

Programs

Pumba live performance, pumba street parade, global pumba rapper contest