Coffee with Gaecheonjeol – Becoming The Muse
If you were having coffee with me, I would be happy to have you visit my tangle of words on this auspicious occasion…
A new month has just begun and the Jacaranda trees are in bloom, they represent wisdom, rebirth, wealth and good luck.
While the jacaranda tree is not indigenous to Zimbabwe or even southern Africa, they have become a part of our story. When examination classes see the purple flowers, its exam time, for others its allergy season. For the music fans, its time once again for the Jacaranda Music Festival which happens every October in celebration of the diversity and creativity of Zimbabwean music and culture.
If you were having coffee with me, I would tell you that I am honoured to have been selected to be part of a pilot programme of Honorary Reporters by the Korean Embassy in Zimbabwe. Its an ambassadorial role which is meant to promote and showcase Korea-Zimbabwe relations, activities by the embassy, as well as share the Korean Culture from food to music, entertainment to business and any other interesting subjects that may arise.
We had a beautiful launch ceremony at the Korean Embassy and I have certificate of appointment signed personally by the ambassador with my name on it. I am super excited to see where this journey will lead. I should probably update my bio to reflect this new chapter. 🥂
If you were having coffee with me, I would tell you that every 3rd of October, Korea celebrates its National Foundation Day. This holiday is in honour of the legendary founding of the state of Gojoseon. The day is also known as Gaecheonjeol which translates to “The day the sky/heaven opened” .. this when Hwanung descended from heaven to live with mankind.
According to the Korean creation myth, Gojoseon was founded by Dangun the grandson of heaven and the son of a bear. Legend has it that the heavenly prince Hwanung yearned to live on earth among the hills and valleys. When he later descended to earth with 3000 of his followers, he met a bear and a tiger who wanted to become human.
He gave them a test: they had to stay in a cave for 100 days and eat only garlic and mugwort. The tiger failed the test but the bear passed and was turned into a woman. When the woman grew lonely and prayed to Hwanung for a child, he married her. Their son was Dangun, who became the legendary founder and god-king of Gojoseon.
And now you know a bit about it too… Do you know any foundation or creation myths about a particular state or place?…
For example, the city of Harare whose name can be loosely translated to “one who doesn’t sleep” was named after a legendary chief Neharawa, who was rumoured to never sleep because every time raiding parties tried to attack, they always found him ready.
Of course, the truth of it was that they had a look-out post on what is now called Harare Kopje which allowed them to scout for raiding parties and prepare in advance.
Whats been going on in your neck of the woods?
~B
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Becoming The Muse 
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