UNESCO has designated the island's unique haenyeo culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Minhoe Kim reports.




Report
[slug]
Jeju haenyeo: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity


UNESCO has finally listed Jeju Island's unique haenyeo culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.


[slug]
UNESCO’s first designation of ‘female-only’ culture


This is the 19th bit of Korean culture to earn UNESCO designation and the island's second, following the Jeju (칠머리) Chilmeoridang shamanic ritual.


And this latest designation is tremendously meaningful as it's the world's first for a female culture.


The agency, based in Paris, appreciated that the female divers stick to nature-friendly policies and form female-only communities for economic activities.


[slug]
Haenyeo culture praised for its uniqueness


UNESCO concluded that the haenyeo culture reflects the cultural diversity of the local community and that it includes good examples of intangible heritage. These include rituals for safety and plentiful catches, work songs, and the custom of gathering at fireplaces after diving.


Interview
Park Sang-mi / Prof., Hankuk University of Intl. Studies
At long last, the cultural creativity and diversity of Jeju's female divers has been recognized by UNESCO. Their unique culture represents a sustainable future for humanity.
<인터뷰:박상미/한국외국어대 교수(문화재 위원)>
"인류의 문화적 창의성과 문화적 다양성을 보여주는 대표적인 무형문화유산이란 것을 유네스코로부터 인정받은 것인데요, 동시에 제주 해녀 문화는 인류의 지속가능한 미래를 제시해 주는 방향성을 제시해 준다고도 볼 수 있겠습니다."


Governor Won Heeryong, a haenyeo representative, was present at the session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Ethiopia, promoting the haenyeo culture.

He promised the systemic preservation and sustainable development of the haenyeo.

Interview
Won Heeryong / Jeju governor
We will undertake the responsibility of preserving this valuable yet endangered culture - due to rapidly-dwindling numbers of haenyeo - and let the world know the women’s stories.
<인터뷰:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"해녀문화에 담겨있는 소중한 가치를 잘 보전하고 이제 고령화로 인해 사라질 위기에 있는 해녀문화를 잘 지켜내면서 온 세계에 전파해야 할 거룩한 책임을 안게 됐습니다."


The designation is expected to help push ahead national and local policies to preserve the culture.

Interview
Kim Dae-hyeon / Rep., Cultural Heritage Administration
We will review the possibility of designating the haenyeo culture as a national cultural property to better preserve it at a national level.
<인터뷰:김대현/문화재청 문화재활용국장>
"문화재청은 이번 등재를 계기로 국가지정문화재 지정을 검토하는 등 제주해녀문화를 보호하고 활성화할 수 있는 방안을 마련하도록 하겠습니다."


The long-standing haenyeo culture was created with the female divers conforming to nature, and represents the strength of Jeju Island's women.

[Reporter] Minhoe Kim
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Haenyeo culture is already somewhat globally recognized as it was listed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity following its designation as Korea's first Nationally Important Marine Heritage last year.


Minhoe Kim, KCTV