Post by SeaRat on Jun 3, 2019 7:56:28 GMT -8
Sea Women001 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
I rode my recumbent bicycle to the Hillsboro Library about two weeks ago, and went in to get some coffee and a goodie. Then I went into the library to drink and relax, and as I sat there, looked at some of the newer books. A cover caught my attention, as it showed what looked to be Ama divers, getting ready to enter the water. But instead of Ama, they were Haenyen divers from the island of Jeju, and the book was titled, "The Island of Sea Women," by Lisa See. I picked it up, and read the intro.
I was hooked; I went to the librarian to check out the book. "Your library card is so old it's not in the system," she told me. So I got a new card, and checked out the book. I've now finished the book, and completely overwhelmed by this book. I've always been intrigued by the Ama divers of Japan, and the Haeyen divers of Jeju Island are in the same tradition. This book covers the story of these divers through many generations, going from WWII and the division of Korea to the Jeju 4.3 Incident, which I was completely unaware of. This was a massacre that occured just prior to the Korean War on this island. This book is not about these wars, but about the communities that lived through them and the people that these events affected.
Lisa See provides insights into the culture of the Haenyen women, how they go about harvesting the sea, their diving techniques, and even their physiology. She brings in Dr. Park, and his researchers in the 1970s through 1980s who studied these women and concluded that the Haenyen women dive in the most extreme environment for hypothermia of any humans on earth.
Anyone who is interested in these diving women will enjoy this book, and Lisa See's description of their culture. Her story resonates through the generations.
John
I rode my recumbent bicycle to the Hillsboro Library about two weeks ago, and went in to get some coffee and a goodie. Then I went into the library to drink and relax, and as I sat there, looked at some of the newer books. A cover caught my attention, as it showed what looked to be Ama divers, getting ready to enter the water. But instead of Ama, they were Haenyen divers from the island of Jeju, and the book was titled, "The Island of Sea Women," by Lisa See. I picked it up, and read the intro.
An old woman sits on the beach, a cushion strapped to her bottom, sorting algae that's washed ashore. She's used to spending time in the water, but even on land she's vigilant to the environment around her. Jeju is her home, and island known for Three Abundances: wind, stones, and women. Today the most capricious of theses--the wind--is but a gentle breeze. Not a single cloud smudges the sky. The sun warms her head, neck, and back through her bonnet and other clothing. So soothing. Her house perches on the rocky shoreline overlooking the sea. It doesn't look like much--just two small structures made from natice stone, but the location...Her children and grandchildren have suggested she allow them to convert the buildings into a restaurant and bar. "Oh, Granny, you'll be rich. You'll never have to work again." One of her neighbors did as the younger generation asked. Now that woman's home is a guesthouse and an Italian restaurant. On Young-sook's beach. In her village. She will never let that happen to her house. "There isn't enough money in all the pockets in all Korea to make me leave," Young-sook has said many times. How could she? Her house is the nest where she hides the joy, laughter, sorrows, and regrets of her life..."
I was hooked; I went to the librarian to check out the book. "Your library card is so old it's not in the system," she told me. So I got a new card, and checked out the book. I've now finished the book, and completely overwhelmed by this book. I've always been intrigued by the Ama divers of Japan, and the Haeyen divers of Jeju Island are in the same tradition. This book covers the story of these divers through many generations, going from WWII and the division of Korea to the Jeju 4.3 Incident, which I was completely unaware of. This was a massacre that occured just prior to the Korean War on this island. This book is not about these wars, but about the communities that lived through them and the people that these events affected.
Lisa See provides insights into the culture of the Haenyen women, how they go about harvesting the sea, their diving techniques, and even their physiology. She brings in Dr. Park, and his researchers in the 1970s through 1980s who studied these women and concluded that the Haenyen women dive in the most extreme environment for hypothermia of any humans on earth.
Anyone who is interested in these diving women will enjoy this book, and Lisa See's description of their culture. Her story resonates through the generations.
John