Haenyeo, the female divers of the Jeju Island, were designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. (image: Jeju Haenyeo Museum)
JEJU, Jun. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Jeju Province introduced a standard model of the “Jeju haenyeo,” or female divers from Jeju Island, to unify various designs and depictions of the national cultural heritage.
The model resembles a woman in her 30s to 40s, carrying traditional equipment used for diving, such as mulsojungi (a diver’s suit), taewakmangsari (a collecting tool), and shenoon (swimming goggles).
Jeju Province consulted with various experts on art and culture of the female divers since March to create the design standard.
The province plans to install the first statues of the new haenyeo model at Busan’s Yeongdo District, one of the frequent destinations of the haenyeos, and in Loreley in Germany, where the haenyeos gave a special performance last year.
Previously, haenyeo statues were installed by various civil groups, but were later subject to criticism due to lack of resemblance or uniformity.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
(image: Jeju Provincial Office)
