Demystifying the Haenyeo Women of Jeju Island

A brilliant piece on the haenyeo women of Jeju Island by UNESCO & HERITAGE left me lost for words the other day. As I read the article, it occurred to me that these women are exceptionally alluring in their ability to wield authority in a patriarchal setting by virtue of what they do. And in doing so, they affirm women’s equality, preserve Jeju Island’s uniqueness, and promote long-term prosperity.

South of the Korean peninsula sits the island of Jeju, one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the country. It’s dubbed ‘Korea’s Hawaii,’ which is where you’ll find the amazing haenyeo women in addition to towering mountains and roaring winds. Who are these women, though? They are the ones who sustain their families, plunging into the sea without any equipment that helps them breathe. Several of these women, some of whom are already in their eighties, dive for shellfish like abalone and sea urchins for food. According to UNESCO & HERITAGE, Jejuhaenyeo, who are experts in the sea, hold their breath for one minute each time they dive, which amounts to almost seven hours per day and 90 days a year.

The haenyeo women initially appeared in historical records in the 17th century. It is reported by Business Korea that, possibly, men frequently got lost in the sea while out fishing or working on battleships, leaving their wives behind. Hence, diving became a responsibility for women to make a living. At the same time, they started engaging in agricultural production by reaping the land. The haenyeo women are revered in Jeju society because of this ritual, which has persisted for more than a thousand years.

The Jejuhaenyeo community is split into three classes based on their material abilities: upper, middle and lower, or Ha-gun, Jung-gun and Sang-gun. Since Sang-gun haenyeo have spent a lot of time around water and are experts on the reefs and seafood, they frequently mentor other haenyeo women in acquiring practical skills in addition to an understanding of haenyeo culture and civic responsibilities.

Before diving, these women call upon a shaman to offer a prayer to the sea goddess for a successful catch and safety. It’s interesting to note that the ama women are the Japanese equivalent of the haenyeo women, based on a report in Culture Trip. The amas gather abalone, seaweed, and other shellfish, identical to what haenyeo women do. Nonetheless, diving for pearls is their most lucrative activity. The women surface after holding their breath for two minutes at a time and make the same ‘Sumbi-sori’ whistling sound as the haenyo women by gently exhaling.

The haenyeo culture of Jeju is vitally pertinent to the identity of the people of Jeju because it is believed that almost every inhabitant has a haenyeo in their family. People, organizations, haenyeo associations, schools, and museums all play a part in passing on important knowledge to the next generation in order to preserve the heritage. The image of a haenyeo diving headfirst into a turbulent sea without any respiratory support is a striking representation of the spirit of the Jeju people. As a result, haenyeo has become synonymous with Jeju Island and has helped raise the prestige of women there as well as promote environmental sustainability through safe fishing practices and local fisheries management.

In a bid to disseminate the culture and promote awareness of the Jejuhaenyeo, the character has in fact been featured as a subject in different television series and movies. Some notable examples include the following:

My Mother, the Mermaid (2004) – A film that follows a mother, a former haenyeo and her daughter.

Tamra, the Island (2009) – A television series set in the 17th century, whose heroine is a haenyeo.

Swallow the Sun (2009) – A television series in which the protagonist’s mother is a haenyeo.

Haenyeo: Women of the Sea (2013) – A short film on Chewar Park, an 82-year-old haenyeo diver who is still active. Park offers insight into this distinct matriarchal society that hasn’t undergone much change since the 19th century by examining both her present and her past.

Canola (2016) – A film starring Youn Yuh-jung as an elderly Sang-gun haenyo.

Our Blues (2022) – The globally popular omnibus K-drama also portrays the working environment for haenyeos of various ages.