Haenyeo [a] (Korean: 해녀; lit. sea women) are female divers in the South Korean province of Jeju, whose livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Known for their independent spirit and determination, haenyeo are representative of the semi-matriarchal family structure of Jeju.

2023年10月12日 · The Haenyeo are best known as the female divers from Jeju Island. They dive into waters twenty meters deep to catch fresh seafood from the depths of the ocean.

2023年12月26日 · After spending several days with the Haenyeo, a group of women on South Korea’s Jeju Island renowned for harvesting seafood from the ocean floor without scuba gear, photographer Peter Ash...

The Haenyeo (women divers), some in their 80s, dive to collect seaweed, shellfish and other seafood in a unique way (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO). You can still see some of these sea mermaids 'at work' and learn all about their history and culture in the Haenyeo museum on Jeju island.

Here you can dive into the world of the Haenyeo—from the years of occupation to their modern survival. Just click through these tabs to explore their journey.

2024年10月13日 · On South Korea’s largest island, Jeju, there is a community of women known as the Haenyeo. The Haenyeo are divers who specialize in gathering seafood like conches, seaweed, and octopuses. Some Haenyeo can dive as deep as 30 feet, without using oxygen masks or any other modern-day scuba gear.

A haenyeo is a woman who dives into the sea to collect sea cucumbers, abalone, and seaweed as her profession. She does this without the help of mechanical devices, such as oxygen tanks. Like