On Nov. 30, 2016, the Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) of the Republic of Korea was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
According to the official UNESCO website:
“Designated by the provincial government as representing the island’s character and people’s spirit, the culture of Jeju haenyeo has contributed to the advancement of women’s status in the community and promoted environmental sustainability with its eco-friendly methods and community involvement in management of fishing practices.
“In Jeju Island, there is a community of women, some aged in their 80s, which goes diving 10m under the sea to gather shellfish, such as abalone or sea urchins for a living without the help of oxygen masks. With knowledge of the sea and marine life, the Jeju haenyeo harvest for up to seven hours a day, 90 days of the year holding their breath for just one minute for every dive and making a unique verbal sound when resurfacing.
“Divers are categorised into three groups according to level of experience: hagun, junggun and sanggun with the sanggun offering guidance to the others. Before a dive, prayers are said to the Jamsugut, goddess of the sea, to ask for safety and an abundant catch. Knowledge is passed down to younger generations in families, schools, local fishery cooperatives which have the area’s fishing rights, haenyeo associations, The Haenyeo School and Haenyeo Museum.”
Background
Jeju Island was designated a National Biosphere conservation area in 2002, a World Natural Heritage site in 2007, and received Global Geopark Network certification in 2010. It is the only area in the world that has achieved these three accolades at the same time. In addition, Jeju benefits from a wide range of ecological and geological features. This includes islands, volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches, national parks, caves and forests.
Keep in Touch With Jeju!
Jeju Island’s official information site: Visitjeju.net
Free Jeju Travel Info Available by Chat (Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. KST)
The JTO’s informative YouTube channel: Visit Jeju Global
Jeju Tourism Organization Travel Blog 