HANA Center’s Drumming (Pungmul) Programs

Pungmul is a traditional art form that is deeply rooted in Korea’s culture and history, particularly as a form of protest or dissent in organizing movements. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, public gatherings were banned, but music-making was one exception; Koreans thus gathered and played pungmul as a form of resistance. Later, in Korea’s 1980s democratization movement, student-led protests were often filled with the sounds of pungmul. Not only did pungmul music provide an energetic backdrop for protests, pungmul is considered the common people’s music; pungmul thus symbolized the people’s unity as they fought for democracy.

HANA’s Drumming Programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. 

Woori Sori (Our Voice) 

“Woori Sori” means “our voice” in Korean. Woori Sori is a multi-generational Asian American women’s group that practices the art of pungmul, breaking the traditional norm of pungmul being led by men. Woori Sori creates a healing and empowering space for women of color to come together, practice an art form with meaningful cultural roots, and raise their voices together in community actions.

In 2021, Woori Sori has performed at community events including a vigil honoring the victims of the Atlanta shooting in March 2021, HANA’s annual fundraising gala in June 2021, and an “Art of Remembrance” event with KAN-WIN and Northwestern University in July 2021 to honor “comfort women” survivors of sexual slavery during World War II.

#DrummingUpPower

HANA’s youth #DrummingUpPower program establishes and maintains strong relationships with area Chicago Public Schools, and provides youth opportunities to participate in a cultural form that resonates with their experiences as immigrants and people of color. The #DrummingUpPower program and other youth programs have continued to meet online throughout the pandemic. Although they cannot access HANA’s drums at home, youth have continued to learn pungmul rhythms using various household items. They also incorporate body movement, dance, poetry, spoken word, and music.