Jeju – or Jeju-do – is Korea’s largest island. Often called ‘the Hawaii of Korea’, it’s lengthy been a preferred vacation vacation spot for South Koreans because of its lush countryside and delightful seashores. Over the previous decade, it’s additionally turn into more and more common with hikers, who hotfoot right here to clamber up Halla-san, Seongsan Ilchul-bong and the Jeju Olle Trails. Planning an idyllic island getaway? From matriarchal divers to fortunate grandfather stones, listed below are a number of attention-grabbing info about Jeju which may shock you.
Attention-grabbing Info about Jeju
1. Jeju has its personal language
Korea is thought for its many regional dialects, however Jeju doesn’t simply have its personal dialect, it has its personal language. Nevertheless, just a few aged residents nonetheless communicate the language completely. Most younger folks now communicate a variation of Korean with a Jeju dialect. Kids not be taught Jeju at school both. In a bid do defend the ailing language, Unesco added Jeju to its Atlas of Endangered Languages in 2011. In response to the group, not more than 10,000 folks on Jeju Island within the Republic of Korea communicate Jeju as we speak.
2. Jeju is dwelling to South Korea’s largest mountain
Jeju Island is dwelling to South Korea’s tallest mountain, Hallasan. The volcanic mountain soars 6,400 ft (1950 metres) excessive. It’s one in all Korea’s three spirit mountain and is dwelling to lush vegetation, wildlife. The mountain dates again to the Quarternary Interval of the Cenozoic Period and specialists consider it might have erupted round 25,000 years in the past.
Its slopes additionally home Buddhist temples, together with the oldest temple on the island, Hyomyeonsga Temple. It’s often called “the door of heaven” or the “moss door.”
3.Demi-gods based Jeju Island
Legend has it that three demi-gods based Jeju Island. Their names had been Go, Ryang and Bu. These males emerged from holes within the floor and went on to turn into the founders of the unique kingdom of Tamna. One other fantasy tells that Jeju was really created by a powerful lady known as Seolmundae Halmang. She began carrying soil in her skirts and poured them out into the ocean. Quickly, the form of islands appeared. Happy along with her creation, she picked up some extra dust and added it o the islands to create volcanic cones. To prime it off, she created a mountain within the centre of the island that was tall sufficient to succeed in heaven – Hallasan Mountain. After some deliberation, she determined it was too tall and broke off its peak. The height flew into the ocean and have become Sanbangsan Maountain.
4. Jeju has a matriarchal construction
In Jeju, ladies are seen as the principle suppliers for the household – and thus, the top of the family. That is largely due to its ‘sea ladies’, haenyeo. These seawomen are feminine divers who harvest seaweed, mollusks, and different sea creatures from the ocean. It’s an essential job since a lot of the island’s economic system depends on fishing exports.
These ladies can dive as much as 10 metres deep with out oxygen masks. In response to Unesco, they dive for as much as seven hours a day, 90 days out of the 12 months, holding their breath for one minute each dive. A lot of them are over 60 years outdated and (and a few are over 80), they usually catch the shellfish with their naked fingers. Earlier than a dive, they pray to Jamsugut, goddess of the ocean, to ask for security and an ample catch.
5. Jeju is self-governed
Jeju is grew to become the primary and solely self-governing province in South Korea in 2006. Till 2005 it comprised two cities: Jeju and Seogwipo and two counties, Bukjeju (North Jeju), and Namjeju (South Jeju). The province grew to become Jeju Particular Self-Governing Province and recieved in depth administrative powers normally reserved for the central authorities.
6. Jeju is dwelling to a reasonably epic world heritage website
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is a Unesco World Heritage Web site. Comprising three websites unfold aross 8,846 ha, it consists of the best lava tube system of caves anyplace on the earth. It’s famend for its multicoloured carbonate roofs and flooring, dark-coloured lava partitions and fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, which rises out of the ocean. The location additionally consists of Hallasan.
7. There are plenty of fortunate grandpas in Jeju
There are dozens of basalt rock statues scattered throughout Jeju island. Often called dol hareubang – ‘stone grandfather’ – these statues characterize gods of safety and fertility. Accoring to native lore, for those who rub statue’s nostril you’ll give start to a boy, and for those who rub the ears you’ll give start to a lady.
The collectible figurines began to look within the late 18th century and at the moment are a logo of the island.
