UNESCO has designated the island's unique haenyeo culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As Mike Laidman now reports, on the surface it may seem that these women are different than those that came before, but their way of life remains the same.




Report

Without modern gear like wetsuits or fins, the Jeju haenyeo of old dove into the sea all year round.


Wearing cotton swimsuits and simple diving goggles, they harvested abalone, sea cucumbers, and conche shells.

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Some haenyeo would leave Jeju for work

In the spring and summer, some of the divers left Jeju and worked at either Dokdo or Hongdo Islets.


Before the haenyeo plunge into the cold waters, they sing, hoping to forget their physical fatigue through the rhythm of work songs.


[Effect work song, 10 sec]
Hope to live on Ieodo Island! Hope to live on Ieodo Island! Before my mom gave birth to me, where did the seaweed she ate come from?
"이어도 사나 ! 이어도 사나 ! 우리 어머니 날 낳을 적에 어느 바다 미역 먹고 나를 낳나! "


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Haenyeo: a symbol of communal life


The more experienced haenyeo would share their catch with the younger divers so that they could all better live together.


Their amazing skill of diving up to 10 meters underwater has been passed down generations, from mother to daughter.


They are able to accomplish such feats by adapting to the Jeju waters, which has helped them to create their own unique culture.


Interview (Jan.7, 2016)
Akira Nagata / Rep., UN Institute for Sustainability and Peace
The female divers harvest plants and animals underwater without damaging the environment. In this regard, the haenyeo culture holds great significance.
<인터뷰: 아키라 나가타/ UN 지속가능성고등연구소 학술부장 (지난 1월 7일)>
"해녀들만의 규칙을 지키면서 자연을 파괴하지 않는 작업 방식은 상당히 큰 의미가 있다."


While their looks may have recently changed somewhat, the Jeju haenyeo have stuck to their nature-focused culture for hundreds of years.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Moon Ho-seong


And now, their culture of community and preservation is about to become better known to the world.


Mike Laidman, KCTV