Haenyeo

Haenyeo
A group of haenyeo women in wetsuits, with nets and flotation devices (2012)
Korean name
Hangul
해녀
Hanja
海女
RRhaenyeo
MRhaenyŏ

Haenyeo (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.:1