Folk Customs of DPRK Seen in September

 Pyongyang, September 2 (KCNA) -- In September there are Paekro and Chubun, ones of the 24 seasonal divisions of the year in the lunar calendar, in the DPRK.
Paekro means the beginning of autumn and Chubun means the middle part of autumn.
On the day of Chubun, the length of the day and the night is almost the same, and from that day on the night is gaining.
This year Paekro and Chubun fall on September 7 and 23 respectively.
September is harvest time.
In this month there is a typical folk holiday called Chusok (Harvest Moon Day, Hangawi). This year's Chusok is September 25.
From olden times our people hold a memorial service with food made of new crop of the year before the tombs of their ancestors on the occasion of Chusok. This is a reflection of the noble beautiful manners and customs of our courteous and faithful people who respect their elders.
The dishes of Chusok are varied and tasteful.
Among them is half-moon-shaped rice cake, and various folk games such as wrestling, swinging and tug of war are popular on the day. -0-