[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

There are 3 things that symbolize Jeju; wind, rocks and women. Jeju has been called ‘Sam Da Island’ for a long time. It means that these three things are in abundance in Jeju. The word women includes women divers called the Hanyeo. Unfortunately the word, Haenyo, as a traditional meaning, is probably going to disappear within the near future.

Mulgil performace can be currently viewed at Hanhwa Aqua-Planet at the main aqua-tank. During the show Lee Han Young, the President of the Hanyeo Culture Association, explained about the performance, “We are giving people some chances to know better about Hanyeo through our traditional performance like Mulgil performance that we did today. The degree of it is still low,but from now on, I want more people to research and succeed to the culture of Hanyeo.”

Most of Haenyeo can hold their breath for more than one minute. Depending on Haenyeos’ degree of breathing and diving skills, their levels can be divided into four main classes as they speak. The researchers however say that they can’t find any outstanting physical skills of the Haenyos. Hanyeos are just meant to be doing their jobs to support their families. While diving while holding their breath for a long time, they are trying to overocme their pain by mainly thinking of supporting their family. That’s mother’s instinctive love and that’s why we call the Hanyeo of Jeju Eomeong, which means ‘Mother of Jeju’.

In addition, according to Meher Marker Noshirwani at IUCN, “The Hanyeo population has decreased from 5,789 in 2000 to 2,500 in the last few decades, and this may be the last generation of women free divers”. As of this year the average of age of Hanyeos is 74. Although their average age gets older, there are not enough moves to try to revive the culture of the Hanyeo. Perhaps within 10 years, we won't be able to see the figure of the diving Haenyos. The value of such tradtion has to carry on its way to succeed to the legacy of Jeju’s important culture.