UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Haenyeo Culture
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Recently, the Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines gained significant popularity both domestically and internationally. From the beginning, the drama drew attention with the appearance of haenyeo—female divers from Jeju Island. One cannot talk about life in Jeju without mentioning haenyeo. The drama portrays the hardships and sorrows of these women. In addition, the JTBC special documentary Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure was recently broadcast. It is the first co-produced content between JTBC and BBC Studios. Deep Dive Korea delicately captures the resilient spirit and way of life of Jeju haenyeo, aiming to introduce their unique culture. Viewers were deeply moved by actress Song Ji-hyo as she gained a better understanding of the haenyeo’s tough lives, relying solely on a tewak while diving into the open sea to earn a living. The Origin of the Term “Haenyeo” Haenyeo (海女) refers to women who dive into shallow seas to collect seafood. In the southern coast of Korea, they are called murekkun, while in Jeju they have traditionally been called jamnyeo or jamsu (潛女·潛嫂). The term “haenyeo” became common during the Japanese colonial era and has been widely used since the 1980s, although it’s still not commonly used in Jeju itself. In the 1960s, in Yeongdo, Busan, they were also referred to as tongjaengi, a term likely derived from the use of wooden barrels (tong) instead of tewak. This method of using barrels can also be seen among Japan’s ama (海女, 海士), and is believed to be influenced by Japanese fishing villages established in Yeongdo during the colonial period. Female Divers Rare in the World Although diving to harvest seafood is a practice seen around the world, only in Korea and Japan do people dive without specialized equipment purely for survival. Similar practices exist in parts of Southeast Asia and Russia, but only sporadically. Jeju Island, in particular, is globally recognized for having the highest concentration of female divers. While haenyeo can be found across the Korean peninsula and its many islands, the vast majority are concentrated in Jeju. In the past, Jeju haenyeo did not limit their work to their home villages. They often traveled to other regions or even overseas for months at a time in a lifestyle known as chulga (출가). After the opening of ports in 1876, the influx of Japanese fishermen led to the devastation of Jeju’s fishing grounds, threatening the haenyeo’s livelihood. As a result, they migrated northward, reaching as far as Cheongjin via North Gyeongsang and Gangwon Provinces. They also spread to the southern and western coasts, as well as islands like Ulleungdo and Heuksando. Overseas, they went to various parts of Japan, Vladivostok, Dalian in the Liaodong Peninsula, and Qingdao in Shandong Province. They typically left in the spring and returned in the fall. These migrations were usually seasonal labor activities, and the tradition of diving in these regions was passed on by the Jeju haenyeo. Historical Records of Haenyeo Haenyeo emerged naturally as a profession and are mentioned in various historical texts. The Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) mentions haenyeo in the Goguryeo section. In 1105, during the reign of King Sukjong of Goryeo, there is a record banning haenyeo from working naked. During the Joseon Dynasty under King Injo, the governor of Jeju banned men and women from working together in the sea. This shows that haenam (male divers) existed alongside haenyeo at that time. Male divers were referred to as pojakin or pojakgan. Since the Goryeo Dynasty, Jeju was required to offer abalone and seaweed as tribute to the royal court. While haenyeo usually collected the seaweed, male divers were responsible for harvesting abalone. As the abalone tribute quotas increased, many attempted to escape to the mainland. To prevent this, a “ban on leaving the island” (chullyukgeumjiryeong) was issued and remained in place for 200 years starting in 1629. During this period, Jeju women were not even allowed to marry off the island. Boat construction was also prohibited on Jeju to ensure the tributes continued. The ban was lifted around 1850, after which Jeju haenyeo began seasonal migrations to places like Busan and Ulsan to earn a living. Tools of the Haenyeo Haenyeo collect abalone, sea cucumbers, octopuses, sea squirts, seaweed, tot, and agar, and occasionally catch fish using spears. Essential tools include the tewak (a buoyant float held to the chest for support), and the mangsiri (a mesh bag attached beneath the tewak for collecting catch). When diving, the tewak and mangsiri float on the water. For diving, they carry tools like the bitchang (a long iron rod for prying abalone), jeonggehom-i (a sickle for cutting seaweed), galgori (an iron rake for shellfish), and sosal (a spear for catching fish). Haenyeo wear a wetsuit called mulot and goggles known as nun. Originally, these wetsuits were made of cotton, later replaced with rubber. The goggles evolved from small binocular types called joksenun to larger ones called wangnun in the 1950s. The Culture of Haenyeo Becoming a haenyeo is not a matter of special birth, but of training and repetition. In the past, girls in coastal villages of Jeju learned diving in shallow areas called aegibadang (baby sea). They observed experienced haenyeo, listened to their stories, and learned through repeated practice. Typically, if a mother was a haenyeo, so was her daughter; if a mother-in-law was a haenyeo, so was the daughter-in-law. Girls in Jeju began learning to swim and practice underwater movements at around 7–8 years old. By 12–13, they practiced diving into deeper waters. At 15–16, they began actual diving work, and by 17–18, they were considered full-fledged haenyeo. Haenyeo are most active around age 40, and some continue diving into their 60s and even 70s. Based on skill, Jeju haenyeo are divided into three classes: sanggunn (upper), junggun (middle), and hagun (lower). Sanggunn haenyeo are highly skilled and knowledgeable about sea life and terrain, and often lead the community by mentoring others. From them, younger haenyeo learn not only diving skills but also

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Haenyeo, Woman diver
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Netflix’s recent drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines, became a huge hit both in Korea and abroad. Right from the start, the show captivated audiences with its focus on haenyeo, or female divers, from Jeju Island. It beautifully depicted the joys and sorrows of their lives, highlighting a significant part of the island’s culture. Similarly, the JTBC documentary Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure, co-produced with BBC Studios, has been airing. The documentary was created to share the haenyeo culture, sensitively portraying the strong spirit and way of life of Jeju’s haenyeo. Viewers were deeply moved by actress Song Ji-hyo’s journey to understand the challenging lives of these women who have made a living from the vast sea with only a tewak, a flotation device. The Origin of the Term ‘Haenyeo’ ‘Haenyeo’ (海女), which means “sea women,” refers to women who dive in shallow waters to gather marine products. In the southern coastal regions of Korea, they were called murekkun, while on Jeju Island, they were known as jamnyeo (잠녀, 潛女) or jamsu (잠수, 潛嫂). The term ‘haenyeo’ emerged during the Japanese colonial period and became more common after the 1980s, though it is still not widely used on Jeju Island. In the 1960s, they were also called tongjaengi in Busan’s Yeongdo district, a term believed to have originated from their use of wooden barrels instead of a tewak. This use of wooden barrels can also be seen among Japanese ama (海女, 海士) divers and is thought to be an influence from Japanese fishing villages that existed in Yeongdo during the colonial era. Unique Female Divers Around the World While diving for marine products is a common practice globally, the act of diving for a living without special equipment is a tradition found almost exclusively in Korea and Japan. Similar activities exist on a smaller scale in Southeast Asia and Russia. Jeju Island, in particular, has gained global attention for having the highest concentration of female divers in the world. Although haenyeo are scattered across Korea’s coastal areas and islands, the majority are on Jeju. Historically, Jeju haenyeo didn’t just work in their home areas; they would travel to other regions and even foreign countries for several months at a time. After Korea’s ports opened in 1876, Japanese fishermen’s expansion led to the depletion of Jeju’s fishing grounds, threatening the haenyeo’s livelihoods. In response, they began to migrate north along the East Coast, traveling through Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do up to Cheongjin. They also expanded their activities to the South and West Coasts, Ulleungdo, and Heuksando, and even to various parts of Japan, Vladivostok, Dalian in the Liaodong Peninsula, and Qingdao in Shandong Province. They would typically leave in the spring and return in the fall. Diving in regions outside of Jeju was fundamentally seasonal migrant work passed down by Jeju’s haenyeo. ‘Haenyeo’ in Historical Texts The haenyeo profession is one of the many that emerged naturally over time. Historical records mention their existence in various ancient texts, including Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms). In 1105, during the reign of King Sukjong of Goryeo, there’s a record prohibiting “nude diving by haenyeo.” Later, during the Joseon era under King Injo, the governor of Jeju reportedly forbade “men and women from working together in the sea.” This suggests that haenam, or male divers, also existed back then. Male divers were known as pojak-in (鮑作人) or pojak-gan (鮑作干). From the Goryeo dynasty, Jeju was required to present abalone and seaweed as tribute to the royal court. Seaweed was primarily gathered by haenyeo, while abalone was the responsibility of the pojak-in. As the quota for abalone tribute increased, many men fled to the mainland. Consequently, a “Prohibition on Leaving the Island” was enacted to prevent Jeju residents from escaping, which lasted for 200 years starting in 1629. Jeju women were even forbidden from marrying men from the mainland, and the construction of fishing boats was also banned—all to ensure the tribute was properly paid. The ban was lifted around 1850, allowing Jeju residents to travel to the mainland. It was then that Jeju haenyeo began their seasonal migrations to places like Busan and Ulsan to earn a living. Haenyeo Equipment Haenyeo harvest various marine products like sea snails, abalones, octopus, sea cucumbers, sea squirts, seaweed, and gulfweed, and occasionally catch fish with a spear. Their essential tools include a tewak, a flotation device they hold to their chests while swimming, and a mang-siri, a net bag attached to the tewak for storing their catch. When they dive, the tewak and mang-siri float on the water’s surface. The gear they take with them underwater includes a bitchang, a long metal tool for prying off abalones; a jeonggehomi, a sickle for cutting seaweed; a galgori, a metal hook-like rake for digging out shellfish; and a sosar, a spear for catching fish. Haenyeo wear a mul-ot, or diving suit, and nun, or goggles. The diving suits have evolved from cotton to rubber. The goggles, originally a small, binocular-style pair called jokse-nun, were replaced by larger ones known as wang-nun starting in the 1950s. Haenyeo Culture Becoming a haenyeo wasn’t about a person being special from birth. It was about becoming strong and skilled through repeated diving and training. Historically, young girls in Jeju’s coastal villages learned to dive in shallow waters called aegi-badang. They learned by observing experienced haenyeo, listening to their stories, and mastering the skills through their own repeated practice. It was common for daughters of haenyeo and daughters-in-law of haenyeo mothers-in-law to also become haenyeo. Girls born on Jeju learned to swim and practice mujamakjil—a diving technique of repeatedly submerging and surfacing—starting at age seven or eight. By 12 or 13, they would practice diving deeper, and by 15 or 16, they would become full-fledged haenyeo. Their diving activities were most active around age 40, and they often continued diving until their 60s, or even into their 70s. Based on their skill and experience, Jeju’s haenyeo are divided into three

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Jeju Haenyeo: Lebendes Kulturerbe Koreas
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Meta-Beschreibung: Entdecken Sie die Haenyeo, die Meerfrauen von Jeju. Erfahren Sie mehr über ihre einzigartige Tauchkultur, ihre Geschichte und warum sie als immaterielles Kulturerbe der UNESCO anerkannt wurden. Jeju Haenyeo: Ein lebendiges Kulturerbe Koreas Die Haenyeo (해녀), die „Meerfrauen“ von Jeju, ziehen weltweit die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Jüngste Produktionen wie die Netflix-Serie „When Life Gives You Tangerines“ und die Dokumentation „Deep Dive Korea“ mit Song Ji-hyo haben diese tapferen Frauen ins Rampenlicht gerückt. Sie sind ein wesentlicher Teil des Lebens auf der Insel Jeju und repräsentieren die Widerstandsfähigkeit und das Leid einer Gemeinschaft, die seit Jahrhunderten vom Meer lebt. Was sind Haenyeo? Eine Haenyeo ist eine Taucherin, die ohne Sauerstoffgerät in flachen Gewässern Meeresfrüchte sammelt. Diese einzigartige Form der Fischerei existiert weltweit nur noch in Korea und Japan. Die größte Konzentration dieser weiblichen Taucher findet man auf der Insel Jeju. Historisch wurden die Haenyeo in Südkorea auch als “Murekkun” oder auf Jeju als “Jamnyeo” (잠녀) bezeichnet. Der Begriff “Haenyeo” wurde erst während der japanischen Kolonialzeit populär. In der Vergangenheit reisten Haenyeo aus Jeju sogar für mehrere Monate aufs Festland oder ins Ausland, um dort zu arbeiten, um ihren Lebensunterhalt zu sichern. Dies war eine direkte Folge der Zerstörung ihrer Fischgründe durch japanische Fischer Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts. Sie arbeiteten nicht nur an der koreanischen Küste, sondern auch in Japan, Wladiwostok und in chinesischen Städten wie Dalian und Qingdao. Geschichte und Entwicklung der Haenyeo-Kultur Aufzeichnungen über weibliche Taucherinnen finden sich bereits im alten koreanischen Text “Samguk Sagi” (Geschichte der Drei Königreiche). In der Joseon-Zeit gab es nicht nur Haenyeo, sondern auch männliche Taucher, die als Pojak-in (鮑作人) bekannt waren. Diese Männer waren spezialisiert auf das Sammeln von Abalone, das als Tribut an den königlichen Hof geliefert wurde. Aufgrund des erhöhten Bedarfs an Abalone wurde den Bewohnern Jejus im 17. Jahrhundert die Ausreise von der Insel untersagt, ein Erlass, der als „Ausreiseverbot“ bekannt ist und über 200 Jahre andauerte. Erst um 1850 wurde das Verbot aufgehoben, was den Haenyeo ermöglichte, als Saisonarbeiterinnen auf das Festland zu gehen. Werkzeuge und Ausbildung einer Haenyeo Haenyeo verwenden für ihre Arbeit eine Vielzahl von Werkzeugen. Dazu gehören die Teuwak, eine Kürbisboje, die ihnen Auftrieb gibt, und ein Mangari, ein Netzbeutel, in dem die gesammelten Meeresfrüchte aufbewahrt werden. Sie tauchen mit Werkzeugen wie dem Bitchang (ein Eisenwerkzeug zum Aufhebeln von Abalone) und dem Jeonggehomi (eine Sichel zum Schneiden von Algen). Eine Haenyeo wird nicht geboren, sondern durch jahrelange Praxis und Ausbildung geformt. Mädchen auf Jeju beginnen bereits im Alter von 7 bis 8 Jahren in den flachen Gewässern zu tauchen. Sie lernen von älteren, erfahrenen Haenyeo und entwickeln ihre Fähigkeiten. Je nach Können werden sie in drei Ränge eingeteilt: Sang-gun (상군, obere Klasse), Jung-gun (중군, mittlere Klasse) und Ha-gun (하군, untere Klasse). Die Sang-gun Haenyeo spielen eine zentrale Rolle, indem sie ihr Wissen und ihre Führung an die Gemeinschaft weitergeben. Anerkennung als Weltkulturerbe Die einzigartige Haenyeo-Kultur, die im Einklang mit der Natur steht, wurde weltweit anerkannt. Im Jahr 2017 wurde die Haenyeo in Südkorea als Nationales Immaterielles Kulturgut Nr. 132 registriert. Bereits 2016 wurde die „Kultur der Jeju Haenyeo“ als 19. immaterielles Kulturerbe Südkoreas in die Liste der UNESCO aufgenommen. Die UNESCO-Anerkennung würdigte nicht nur die Tauchkultur an sich, sondern auch die “Jamsugut” (ein Ritual zur Sicherheit der Haenyeo), die “Haenyeo-Lieder” sowie die Weitergabe von Wissen und die starke Gemeinschaft. Herausforderungen und Zukunft Trotz dieser Anerkennung stehen die Haenyeo vor großen Herausforderungen: Die Überalterung der Taucherinnen, der Klimawandel und der Rückgang der Meeresressourcen bedrohen diese Tradition. Umso wichtiger ist es, dass die Haenyeo-Kultur durch internationale Anerkennung und Medienproduktionen wie die von Netflix und JTBC weiter gefördert und geschützt wird. Es ist unser gemeinsames Ziel, sicherzustellen, dass die Geschichten und die Traditionen der Haenyeo nicht nur in Korea, sondern weltweit als ein kostbares kulturelles Erbe erhalten bleiben.

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Menyelami Kisah Haenyeo: Wanita Penyelam Korea yang Tangguh
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Belum lama ini, drama Netflix “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (폭싹 속았수다) menarik perhatian penonton di dalam dan luar Korea. Sejak awal, drama ini menampilkan Haenyeo, penyelam wanita dari Pulau Jeju, yang memperlihatkan suka duka serta kehidupan mereka yang penuh tantangan. Selain itu, program dokumenter spesial JTBC dan BBC Studios, “Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure,” juga menghadirkan kisah para haenyeo yang tangguh dan budaya mereka yang unik. Apa Itu Haenyeo? Haenyeo (해녀) adalah sebutan untuk wanita yang menyelam di laut dangkal untuk mengumpulkan hasil laut. Di beberapa daerah, mereka memiliki nama berbeda: Meskipun aktivitas menyelam untuk mencari hasil laut umum di seluruh dunia, praktik penyelaman bebas (tanpa alat bantu pernapasan) untuk mencari nafkah hanya ditemukan di Korea dan Jepang. Jeju dikenal sebagai pusat konsentrasi penyelam wanita terbesar di dunia. Sejarah dan Mobilitas Haenyeo Keberadaan haenyeo sudah tercatat dalam sejarah Korea sejak zaman kuno. Pada masa Dinasti Goryeo dan Joseon, catatan menunjukkan adanya penyelam wanita, bahkan ada larangan bagi pria dan wanita untuk menyelam bersama, yang mengindikasikan bahwa haenam (해남, penyelam pria) juga ada. Di Jeju, haenam dikenal sebagai pojakin (포작인). Mereka bertanggung jawab mengumpulkan abalon sebagai persembahan untuk kerajaan. Ketika jumlah abalon yang harus disetor meningkat, banyak haenam melarikan diri, yang akhirnya memicu dikeluarkannya “Larangan Keluar Pulau” (Chullyukgeumjiryung) selama 200 tahun hingga sekitar tahun 1850. Setelah larangan dicabut, para haenyeo mulai melakukan migrasi musiman, yang disebut chulga (출가), untuk mencari nafkah di luar Jeju. Mereka menjelajahi pesisir Korea, bahkan hingga ke Jepang, Vladivostok, Dalian, dan Qingdao. Perjalanan ini biasanya dilakukan di musim semi dan kembali saat musim gugur, menunjukkan semangat juang mereka yang luar biasa. Peralatan dan Kehidupan Sehari-hari Haenyeo Peralatan haenyeo sangatlah sederhana, namun penting: Haenyeo tidak terlahir sebagai penyelam ulung. Mereka melewati pelatihan intensif sejak kecil. Gadis-gadis Jeju mulai belajar berenang di laut dangkal yang disebut “aegi-badang” (애기바당) pada usia 7-8 tahun. Pada usia 15-16 tahun, mereka mulai menyelam secara profesional dan mencapai puncaknya di usia 40-an. Haenyeo dibagi menjadi tiga tingkatan berdasarkan keahlian mereka: Haenyeo bukan sekadar profesi; mereka adalah pilar komunitas yang berbagi pengetahuan, pengalaman, dan nilai-nilai. Pengakuan dan Tantangan di Masa Depan Budaya Haenyeo diakui sebagai warisan takbenda yang unik dan berharga. Namun, budaya haenyeo menghadapi tantangan besar. Populasi haenyeo semakin menua, sumber daya laut menipis akibat pemanasan global, dan lingkungan kerja yang sulit menyebabkan jumlah mereka terus berkurang. Oleh karena itu, pengakuan global dan perhatian dari media seperti drama Netflix dan dokumenter BBC sangat penting. Hal ini membantu memperkenalkan budaya haenyeo yang tangguh dan berharga kepada dunia, memastikan warisan ini terus lestari bagi generasi mendatang. Mari kita terus mendukung dan mengapresiasi para haenyeo, pahlawan laut yang menjaga tradisi dan alam.

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Exploring the World of Haenyeo: Jeju’s Legendary Women Divers
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Introduction to Haenyeo Culture Recently, the Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) captured the hearts of audiences both in South Korea and internationally. One of the key elements that drew viewers in was the powerful portrayal of Jeju’s Haenyeo — Korea’s traditional women divers. This series showcased the emotional and physical struggles of the Haenyeo of Jeju Island, reflecting a unique and resilient aspect of Korean culture. In addition, the JTBC and BBC co-produced documentary Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure brought further global attention to the Haenyeo tradition, emphasizing their strength, spirit, and way of life. Actress Song Ji-hyo’s journey of learning from Haenyeo brought emotional resonance and sparked international interest in this fading tradition. Who Are the Haenyeo (Women Divers)? Haenyeo (해녀) literally means “sea women” and refers to female divers in Korea who collect seafood by free-diving without any breathing apparatus. While similar practices exist globally, Korea (particularly Jeju Island) and Japan are the only places where women dive without modern scuba equipment for economic survival. Known by different names across Korea—such as murekkun in the southern coast and jamnyeo (잠녀) or jamsu (잠수) in Jeju—Haenyeo culture has evolved regionally. Interestingly, the term “Haenyeo” became widely used during the Japanese colonial period but is still rarely used by locals in Jeju, where older terms persist. A Unique Global Tradition Though diving for marine products is a universal activity, Haenyeo are globally unique in that they are women who free dive for a living. Jeju Island holds the highest concentration of female divers in the world, making it a cultural and anthropological treasure. Historically, Jeju Haenyeo didn’t just dive locally—they often traveled to other parts of Korea and even abroad, including Japan, Vladivostok, Qingdao, and more, for seasonal work. These journeys began in earnest after 1850, once the government lifted a long-standing ban (출륙금지령) that had previously prevented Jeju residents from leaving the island. Tools, Training, and the Haenyeo Lifestyle Haenyeo collect abalone, sea urchins, octopus, sea cucumbers, conchs, seaweed, and more. Their tools include: They wear “mul-ot” (water clothes), now often rubber suits, and “nuns” (goggles), which evolved from small glass lenses to larger masks in the 1950s. Haenyeo are not born experts; they become skilled through years of training and experience. Young girls in Jeju start learning at the “Aegibadang” (shallow sea) by watching elder divers. Training begins around age 8 and intensifies through their teens. A woman typically becomes a fully active Haenyeo by age 16–18 and can continue diving into her 70s. They are classified into three groups: The Cultural Significance of Haenyeo Haenyeo represent more than just an occupation—they are symbols of Korea’s traditional marine culture and female empowerment. Their practices demonstrate: Because of these cultural and ecological values, the Jeju Haenyeo culture was designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 132 in Korea in 2017. In 2016, it was also recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, under the official name:“Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers)”. This UNESCO listing highlights elements such as: Challenges Facing Haenyeo Today Despite global recognition, the Haenyeo population is rapidly declining due to: Many modern efforts are focused on preserving and promoting the Haenyeo heritage. Media projects like Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines and JTBC/BBC’s Deep Dive Korea have played a crucial role in raising awareness and interest globally. Conclusion The legacy of Jeju Haenyeo is not only a part of Korean heritage but also a valuable piece of global cultural history. Their story is one of resilience, sustainability, and community, and serves as a powerful symbol of humanity’s relationship with nature. With increasing attention from international media and institutions, there’s hope that Haenyeo culture will continue to inspire future generations and remain a living heritage of Korea and the world.

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