Inscribed in 2009 on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of Humanity, "Namsadang Nori" (literally the all-male vagabond clown theatre), is a multifaceted folk performance tradition, originally practised widely by travelling entertainers. Namsadang Nori carried an importante social message. The mask dance and puppet plays in particular enacted the opression of the lower classes as well as women in a male-dominated society. Through satire, these performances raised issues on behalf of those with no political voice and manifested ideals of equality and freedom, sustaining and inspiring the poor.
