The 19th Haenyeo Festival has commenced in Jeju City, South Korea, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the haenyeo culture’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival, running until Sunday near the Jeju Haenyeo Museum, features various events highlighting the traditions of the women divers known as haenyeo, who gather seafood through free diving.
Celebrating their deep-rooted practices and knowledge, the haenyeo culture was recognized by UNESCO in November 2016. This year’s festival focuses on commemorating that acknowledgment. The opening ceremony saw approximately 1,000 haenyeo participating in traditional rituals and a vibrant parade, carrying traditional floats and diving nets. The festival will also showcase performances, exhibitions, and activities aimed at educating younger generations about the haenyeo culture.
The number of active haenyeo has significantly declined, shrinking from over 14,000 in 1970 to just 2,371 last year, underscoring the need for cultural preservation.
