Haenyeo women
Daughters of the Sea: The Last Free Divers of South Korea Haenyeo Tradition
This nearly 90-year-old woman is a Haenyeo, one of the last remaining female free divers on Jeju Island, South Korea. For generations, these remarkable women have plunged into the depths of the ocean to harvest its treasures, continuing a tradition passed down through centuries.
Haenyeo can stay in the water for up to five hours, diving as deep as 30 meters, and holding their breath for over three minutes. Their resilience and skill, honed over a lifetime, embody the strength and spirit of this unique cultural heritage, now fading from the modern world.
The Tattooed Women of Chin State: A Mark of Heritage
In the remote Chin State of Myanmar, women once adorned their faces with intricate tattoos. Legend has it that this was done to avoid abduction by a king, while other stories suggest it was a way to mark their lineage, as the Chin people had no written language. Each pattern told a story of belonging—connecting these women to their families and their origins. Today, this fading tradition remains a powerful symbol of identity and resilience.
