Jeju’s volcanic rocks are a symbol of the island. They hold diverse functional and spiritual roles for islanders past and present, and one of their most prominent uses is for walls, or “batdam.” Unfortunately the history and significance behind all this has been slowly fading with the passage of time. Lee Hee-jung has more.

Jeju has become known for its volcanic rock formations, and for the geological curiosities this entails.

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Jeju stone walls: a means of protection against winds and wildlife

Problems that made the lives difficult for our ancestors were solved by the use of the island’s rocks. Using them to make stone walls that could withstand strong winds is one major example of this. The sheer strength of these structures also protected early inhabitants from the local wildlife.

This all began approximately 1000 years ago.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang, Jung-hyo / Photographer
Volcanic rocks were one of the reasons that made Jeju a difficult location for our ancestors to settle. But instead they turned them into a valuable asset.
<인터뷰:강정효 사진작가>
"삶을 척박하게 만든 요인이지만 선조들은 이를 거스르지 않고 활용하며 제주만의 독특한 돌문화를 형성해 왔습니다. ."

Jeju’s Haenyeo women divers dried themselves and relaxed at what are known locally as bulteoks. These are essentially fire places made from the abundant volcanic rocks lying around the coast. They also arranged rocks into net shaped circles to catch fish.


[INTERVIEW]
Han Rim-hwa / Novelist
Our ancestors created ways to utilize tools to catch food from the sea, and then shared this food with each other.
<인터뷰:한림화 소설가>
"인공 구조물을 사용하면서 제주사회가 너나 없이 먹을 것을 나눠먹고
서로 쓰임새에 따라서 필요한 것을 바다에서 얻을 수 있는 지혜도 발휘했어요"

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Heritage is being damaged without its value being recognized

Not only did people use volcanic rocks to protect their ancestors tombs, they were also used to build Jeju’s religious dongjaseok stone child grave guardians.

This range of ingenious ideas illustrates the wisdom of Jeju’s ancestors, and is a living testimony to their spirit.

[camera]
Kim Seung-cheol

Unfortunately, over time, the value of all of this has not been fully recognized. This in turn means that certain artifacts have not been protected from damage, and the history surrounding them has slowly been fading away.

Last April, the batdam was recognized for its heritage value, and was designated as a World Agricultural heritage site. However as the island began to urbanize it has been rapidly destroyed.

[INTERVIEW]
Jung Kwang-joon / Vice-president and Dean, Jeju National Univ.
The Jeju stone wall culture encompasses more than 1,000 years of history. I believe that the older generation must help preserve and sustain it.
<인터뷰:정광중 제주대 부총장 겸 교육대학장>
"천년 이상을 이어 온 제주돌담을 후세들에게도 꼭 이어나갈 수 있도록
기성세대의 노력이 필요하지 않나 이런 생각을 해 봅니다."

[reporter]
Lee Hee-jung

Many call the 21st century the century of cultural competitiveness.
The culture surrounding the use of stone on Jeju holds more value for the future than many might otherwise think, and this calls for for a sustainable approach to preservation.

Lee Hee-jung KCTV