These magnificent sea women, who live on the island of Jeju in South Korea, have been pioneering reform in the traditional division of labor, where women take care of the home while men provide for the family. For centuries, haenyeo have dived into the depths of the sea to gather octopus, sea stars, clams, and seaweed for food. Women dive up to ten meters (32 feet) deep without oxygen equipment.
Today, there is much talk about extending work careers. These women are an example of this as well. Nearly 90% of them are over 60 years old – many have already reached the age of eighty. The nature of their work has changed significantly in recent decades, and today haenyeo are especially popular as a tourist attraction. Their work is an important part of Jeju’s culture and tradition, and it is also recognized in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
You can watch the Haenyeo Women Diver Show near Seongsan Ilchulbong. The crater of the underwater volcano, which erupted about five thousand years ago, is also known as Sunrise Peak. Due to its geological significance, Seongsan Ilchulbong is also a UNESCO site worth visiting while waiting for the Haenyeo Women Diver Show to begin. You’ll have an hour to get to the top and back to watch the show, which usually starts daily at 1:30 pm and 3 pm. You can verify the schedule on Visit Jeju’s website.
You can also explore the intriguing culture of the Haenyeo at the Haenyeo Museum.
The ancestors of the Koreans who lived on Jeju Island believed that those who died at sea would move to an imaginary world (leodo) and live there peacefully. Haenyeo divers of the past sang the song “leodo Sana” when going out to sea, mourning their deceased colleagues and wishing themselves a safe return. This song is still sung by women.
leodo Sana
Row, row, row your boat, to go where? To the sea off Jindo Island.
Hold your net with one hand, and hold your hook with the other hand. As going down deeper and deeper, it feels like I am going through the hell.
leodo Sana
Row, row, row your boat. Let’s just hurry.
leodo Sana
When my mother gave birth to me, was I destined to grab this oar and have such hardened hands?
leodo Sana
Row, row, row your boat. Let’s just go ahead.
leodo Sana
Under the sea are lots of clams and abalone, but the weather hinders us.
leodo sana
Row, row, row your boat. We gotta endure rough waves.
leodo Sana
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