Jeju Forum 2017 Haenyeo- Soul of Jeju Island
This year's forum will feature a special session about haenyeo of female divers of Jeju Island. / Courtesy of Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity Organizaing Committee
Kwon Mee-yoo
A haenyeo shows an abalone she caught in waters off Jeju Island. / Courtesy of Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity Organizing Committee
Life and culture of “haenyeo,” or women divers of Jeju Island, will be discussed at the Haenyeo session of the 12th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on June 2 from 10:20 to 11:50 a.m.
Organized by Jeju Peace Institute and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the session held at the International Convention Center explores global promotion and sustainability of Jeju haenyeo.
The female divers of Jeju Island are known for diving 10 meters into the sea without breathing gear. They collect shellfish, such as abalone or sea urchins for a living and their age groups range from pre-teens to elderly women in their 90s.
The unique culture of Jeju haenyeo, promoting environmental sustainability with its eco-friendly methods, was recognized by the UNESCO and Jeju haenyeo was inscribed in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Moderated by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies professor Bak Sang-mee, panelists will examine tasks to globalize the haenyeo culture. Bak, facilitator of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, said, “The efforts to preserve the haenyeo culture should be a good example for the global discourse on conservation and utilization of the intangible heritages.”
Panelists consist of cultural experts as well as an active haenyeo to discuss diverse aspects of the haenyeo culture and its sustainability.
Nguyen Thi Hien, vice director of Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies and a member of the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Evaluation Body, is an expert in folklore and will present the UNESCO’s effort to preserve cultural heritages.
Brenda Paik Sunoo is a Korean-American who published a photo essay “Moon Tides — Jeju Island Grannies and the Sea” after spending two years on Jeju Island. She will introduce unique and mysterious life of haenyeo as a model for women.
Joey Rositano documented the endangered folk culture of Jeju through photo book “Spirits” and documentary “Spirits: Jeju Island’s Shamanic Shrines.” He will give a lecture on Yeongdeung shaman ritual for welfare and good harvest.
Koh Hee-young, director of the documentary “Mulsum (A Little Bit More),” is a Jeju native. She will present footages from her film.
Kang Ae-sim, head of the haenyeo society, and Lee Sun-hwa, a Jeju provincial council member who drafted legislation to preserve the haenyeo culture, will discuss administrative measures to support haenyeo.
Chae Ji-ae is a young haenyeo and she will talk about the haenyeo population now decreasing and growing older.
A haenyeo photo exhibition, organized by the Jeju Haenyeo Museum, will be held in front of the Halla Hall of the convention center. Participants of the session will be given the opportunity to observe the life of haenyeo during a visit to Beobhwan Haenyeo School in the afternoon.
For more information, visit www.jejuforum.or.kr.