This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker is offering us the first in a series of segments profiling a part of Jeju’s cultural and agricultural heritage. Jeju’s stone walls are black basalt rock edifices that for centuries have been used to protect homes and crop land from the island’s strong winds. And they have done so in a number of different ways.

Jeju is a volcanic island, and its people have developed a strong identity known as Jeju stone culture.

The island’s location in the ocean, and strong prevailing winds, generally make it a difficult place to grow crops. Its arable land is made up mostly of lava stone fields.

In order for farmers to start planting their crops, they had to move the stones out of the way. They stacked them into walls called batdam.

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Estimated 22,000 km of basalt walls islandwide

According to a provincial government report, over the centuries islanders have built an estimated 22,000 kilometers of these stone walls. Batdam require no mortar, as the rock is naturally porous and they adhere to each other easily, so the walls are remarkably strong.

They provide homes with shelter from the strong wind, and also protect crops during storms.

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Help reduce soil erosion, preserve biodiversity

An added benefit is that they reduce soil erosion and preserve Jeju’s biodiversity.

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FAO: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System

In light of this, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has now officially designated batdam as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.

This is the first time agricultural systems in Korea have been recognized internationally, and now will be subject to national and international protections.

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Todd Thacker

Jeju stone walls are securely entrenched in the island’s aesthetic and cultural identity. Their functionality, and beauty, are truly unique to Jeju.

Todd Thacker KCTV