The elderly women who dive for seafood off the island of Jeju, Korea, are called haenyo, which means "sea women." They are carrying on a century-old tradition that began when women realized they could bring home the seafood without paying the taxes that would be levied on men in the same profession. It is a declining way of life, which explains why the remaining haenyo are elderly. Read more about them and see more photos at Kuriositas. Link
(Image credit: Flickr user GlobalCitizen01)
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I've been here! I saw many of these ladies on the smaller islet (U-Do) to the west of Jeju. They were all gearing up and I was wondering why they were all old ladies! Now I know, thanks Miss C.!
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