Jeju’s (밭담) “batdam”, or stone walls were designated Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in 2014 by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, and a festival celebrating this unique aspect of local culture begins Friday. Mike Laidman has more.
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‘Batdam’ criss-cross Jeju Island

Jeju’s ‘(밭담) batdam, or stone walls, criss-cross the island like a spider’s web.

There are thought to be about 22,000 kilometres of the black walls in total.

The walls have been nicknamed the ‘long, twisty black dragon’ because of how they look when seen from a distance.

Batdam are an important part of local history which show how the Jeju people cultivated their barren, rocky land and protected their crops from the harsh Jeju winds. Recently, they have earning recognition for their scenic beauty.

The value of the stone walls has been in the spotlight since they became one of the first South Korean items to be added to the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.


[INTERVIEW]
Gang Seung-jin / Researcher, Jeju Development Institute
The globally-recognized ‘batdam’ are a valuable resource that should be preserved for future generations.
<인터뷰: 강승진 제주발전연구원 박사>
"가치와 중요성을 인정받음으로 인해 자손만대 까지도 물려주겠다는 인식이 확산되고 이를 통해 미래 제주도를 먹여살릴 수 있는 귀중한 자원이 아닌가..."

However, the walls are being lost due to advances in agriculture and urban developments. Measures are urgently needed to preserve them.

Now, this Friday, the Batdam Festival will open, and provide the opportunity for people to learn the value of this part of Jeju’s heritage and share ideas on how to preserve and pass it down to future generations.

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Batdam Festival
Gujwa Sports Complex (Oct. 30 - Nov. 1)

The three-day event will celebrate ‘1,000 years of Jeju spirit; batdam: the long, twisty Black Dragon.’ The event is held near the (구좌) Gujwa Sports Complex in Jeju City.

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Stone culture reflects Jeju life

Jeju’s stone culture, like the bulteok (불턱), or haenyeo’s fireplace, wondam (원담), enclosures used to catch fish, and the batdam, will all be highlighted during the festival.

[INTERVIEW]
Lee Woo-cheol / Jeju Agricultural Policy Dept.
The province has organized the festival to reflect on the lives of our ancestors, further cement the significance of the walls, and teach more people around the globe about them.
<인터뷰:이우철 제주도 친환경농정과장>
"돌문화를 주제로 그동안 선조들이 살아온 애환과 역사를 되짚어보고 중요성을 널리 홍보하기 위해서, 제주의 가치를 더 높이기 위해서 축제를 개최하게 되었습니다."

The festival includes trekking events along the snaking trails in (김녕) Gimnyeong, (월정) Woljeong, and (행원) Haengwon, a stone wall building contest, as well as a photo competition.

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Kim Seung-cheol

Educational programs, including a seminar on agricultural heritage and lecture on Jeju batdam, will be also be included.

[reporter]
Mike Laidman

Jeju’s batdam have never been properly evaluated because they are so common on the island.

Now, the Batdam Festival should help to spark interest in the long-hidden value of these remarkable black, stone walls.

Mike Laidman, KCTV