Winnow

Ki, or winnow, is a tool for winnowing grains and filtering out impurities such as empty heads, dirt, or dry grass. A winnow was usually made of wicker or bamboo, whereas southern regions mostly used bamboo. It was made by splitting wicker or bamboo into strips and shaping a wide, flat front part, while the rear part was narrow and slightly curved inward. A pair of small wings are attached to both sides of the front to better stir up the air. When winnowing grains with this tool, lighter materials would fly off or remain in the front, while heavier ones would be gathered in the rear, which is referred to as “kijil (winnowing).” The act of raising the winnow high and slowly pouring down its contents in order to separate impurities from the grains is called “kinaerim (winnow pouring).” The act of fanning the winnow to create wind like a butterfly flapping its wings is called “nabijil (act of butterfly).” In the past, parents would make a bed-wetting child wear this winnow and visit a neighbor’s house to ask for salt. Then the neighbor would understand the reason, sprinkle salt and shout “Do not wet the bed again,” while knocking on the winnow. It was believed that this ritual would help to fix the child’s bad habit.