Jeju Haenyeo Museum Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia.

Jeju-do has established the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to introduce to the world the unique activities and culture of Jejudo’s haenyeo female divers. Exhibition Hall 1 is entitled “Haenyeo Diver’s Life” and has a restoration of a traditional haenyeo’s home, and her meals. Also on display, to show a more realistic view into their daily lives, are the various utensils used by female divers.

Exhibition Hall 2 displays a pair of haenyeo divers’ goggles and the fishing spheres they often use underwater. Her traditional working outfit is also on display along with various historical records and haenyeo-related materials.

Exhibition Hall 3 has an underwater theme called “The Sea” and displays the fishing industry’s culture. Traditional fishnets and fishing equipment are on display including small ship models and salt farm models.

The Jeju Haenyeo Museum exhibits various photos of haenyeo female divers and their activities, to provide an accurate picture of their lives. The Jeju Haenyeo Museum also has an observatory from where visitors can see an excellent view of the Hado-ri area, which has a garden with various sculptures and a resting area. The first floor lobby has a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs related to haenyeo female divers.

Haenyeo (women divers) only exist in Jeju Island and Japan. They are also called “jamnyeo,” and both terms refer to women who gather seaweed, abalone, or other shellfish from the sea. Because of the very uniqueness of this diving profession, they have been the focus of much attention from around the world. Haenyeo are the symbol of Jeju women as they were the bulwark of Jeju’s economy, going on long expeditions to Japan as well as other parts of Korea. A strong tenacious hold on life and pioneering spirit is characteristic of the haenyeo. It is believed that fishermen harvested abalone during the Joseon dynasty. In a Jeju topography written by Lee Gun in 1629, it is recorded that haenyeo harvested abalone. Further record of haenyeo is found in bibliographic data such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Jiyoungrok written by Lee Ik Tae, and Jonjaejeonseo by We Baek Gue. Jeju's haenyeo also had a significant role in leading the anti-Japanese movement, fighting for their rights against Japanese exploitation as one of the largest such movements nationwide. It is our sincerest hope to build a museum on this historic site and develop a 21st Century cultural arts mecca so that we can pass on and preserve Jeju’s haenyeo culture, which has been acknowledged as a world heritage asset.
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