BECOMING A JEJU HAENYEO

The haenyeo make their living by harvesting abalone, conches, sea cucumbers and hijiki (a brown edible seaweed) from the ocean. They are often called jamnyeo, or jamsu, in Jeju, and their lives are an integral part of the history of the island. The work they do in the sea is called muljil in Korean

MULJIL SKILL

Muljil skill is acquired through lengthy training and experience. The haenyeo begin to swim as early as seven or eight years old and are taught the skills of diving, holding their breath underwater, and information about sea life, along with many other crucial lessons

Once they are 15 years or older, they begin diving and are known as young haenyeo. It is important for these young divers to sense the water pressure, and take note of the current and depth of the water. Furthermore, depending on their breathing capacity, young haenyeo must decide how deep they are able to go