TRAINING AND SKILLS

The ama learn to swim when they’re around six to seven years old and begin training properly at the age of 12, often being taught by an elder. Like Korea’s haenyeo, the ama make a unique whistling sound, known as isobue in Japanese, whenever they resurface from a dive. The sound is made when the ama open their mouths slightly as they resurface to exhale and regulate their breathing.

Ama divers warm themselves by an open fire after a dive