Families of the World - Korea

[Music] la [Music] y [Music] [Music] Korea a country of snowcapped mountains and watery rice patties a country divided by a war yet molded by tradition Korea a land of children and Farmers businessmen and fishermen and of the famous women divers of Chu [Music] Island Yung j would be a diver in search of of pearl oysters octopus and shellfish she too will follow in the wake of her mother and her grandmother but right now she has her hands full getting her brother dressed with or without his cooperation there's the washing and then something special to do buying a birthday gift for her grandfather ever since she could remember she's found him something just a little different but this year she couldn't decide and time was [Music] short but the chores first everyone had something to do her father was already at the harbor preparing for a day's fishing and her mother had more washing to be done before going diving [Music] y Jay has spent all her 12 years on Chu island in the fishing Village of ban she has never set foot on the Korean Mainland 150 km away then neither has her grandfather in all his 75 years and yet he's a worldly person full of Korean legends from across the land the stories he tells Yung J's little brother on his frequent visits keep him content for ours but the very young and the Very Old in Korea share a special feeling for one [Music] another Tong is one of Yong J's best friends all Chu Island girls their age they're expected to help with many of the daily chores giving their mothers a little more time to organize the household and bring up the children as they think best for here on Chu Island the burden of the work seems to fall on the woman's shoulders from running the household diving through other jobs like helping plant and harvest the crops this is a tradition which has come down through the centuries a tradition which is being passed on from one generation to [Music] [Music] another [Music] foree the Kon awakens early from necessity breakfast to be eaten fishing gear and boats readied since the washing water in the well is controlled by the changing tides it's only possible to wash at certain moments of the day now however is the perfect time with the tide bringing a water level up through the bottom of the well here it remains until the tide reverses itself and the water level drops once more doing the family wash also gives Yung Jay a chance to meet friends chat about all manner of things younger boys and girls escape most duties for now though early morning usually finds them down around the harbor which in h Chon is the main Center of activity this Harbor fitting snug against the rugged coastline is typical of so many found around Chu Island it's also an ideal place for a little fun [Music] [Applause] these young people learn early to enjoy the sea they are taught to swim almost before they can walk for island people particularly know the ders of the sea learning to swim then is one less hazard to worry [Music] about for young Jay washing clothes isn't her idea of fun it's the diving that holds her interest when a girl reaches age 12 she is taught by her mother to become a Chu diver at 16 she will receive her own equipment as a gift and join her mother and the other women divers to carry on the tradition of Chu Island among the many rituals and traditions of Korea few are older than the worship of the spirits these are the spirits of the Earth the mountains trees another is the Dragon King Spirit of the sea those who venture out on the sea have a great reverence for its power and majesty and guarded respect for the Dragon King because of this respect the divers will go out only when the dragon king is pleased enough to make the wat calm the bottom clear this sort of worship is called Shamanism a kind of folk religion that has survived in the rural areas of Korea through their offerings these old ladies known as Shin bangs hope to encourage the Friendship of the Dragon King so he will take kindly to the local divers fishermen and even to Casual swimmers [Music] this solemn ritual is performed whenever the catch is low when the sea is rough or when a new boat or diver is going out for the first time to sweeten the sea spirit's taste he is offered Wine and Food further prayers written on symbolic scrolls are burnt to win his friendship now under the guidance of the Shin bangs the divers are happy for they know of all the dangers which might beset them a mile or two from Shore as for Bon itself it must sit in high favor With The Dragon King as there has been no loss of life in the area in living [Music] memory young Dre too has a deep respect for the sea her mother warned her of the dangers when she was old enough to come on the boat with the other experienced divers and now it's her turn to watch and listen if she is ever going to become one of [Music] them once out in the open sea the divers now have to find a spot which will yield them a worthwhile [Applause] catch careful preparation for the dive is important for these women will remain in the water four or five hours a day a year round though Chu island is in a semi-tropical region the winter months can still be cold and uncomfortable imagine then how cold the sea must be at depths of 30 to 50 ft each diver has her own float hanging from it is a net to hold her between Dives she will also use this float for support while she catches the [Music] breath before diving she will Cruise slowly along the surface Heering down for any sign of shellfish or other things worth having on finding a particularly good area she will signal her fellow divers and then dive immediately she is capable of reaching 50 ft straight down it's the constant diving over the years which has given the chrw women extraordinary breath control for they rely only on their natural supply of air while most of us find holding our breaths for 30 or 40 seconds difficult these divers remain submerged for more than 2 or 3 minutes at a stretch whistling helps them maintain an even rhythm of breathing and once again down to the bottom [Music] [Music] [Music] a fine catch means Nets full of shrimp clams Pearl Oyster octopus and even seaweed for soup Young Jay and her friends practice now what they've seen their mothers do but in shallower waters Young Jay is serious no less today because a good catch for her would put extra coins towards her grandfather's birthday present that she couldn't [Applause] forget diving here with her friends is a little more relaxing but then no one is expecting her to die for their livelihood at least not yet and this makes the difference [Music] [Applause] [Music] breathing comes next it takes a great deal of practice to reach the bottom and stay there long enough to catch something [Music] knowing what you want and where to find it takes experience even spotting a half buried oyster needs a bit of luck one could easily add a head cold to the catch or it isn't the warmest of days shivering is all part of being a Chu diver Yung j isn't only warmed by the fire she's warmed by the thought that the extra good catch means a little more money to her grandfather's [Music] present but buying the present will'll have to wait at least until after school to Koreans attending school is a privilege rather than a chore they receive great enjoyment from learning about themselves and people of other lands and taking a genuine interest in class activities [Music] [Applause] pupils are happy to see their regular teacher back with them again Mr Lee had been away taking further courses in teachers training set up by the government and assisted by UNICEF these courses help him keep up with the latest in teaching techniques [Applause] [Music] for it is the pupil's desire too to get as much as possible from school which leads them into some form of class participation for example if Jung J's turn right now to take over the class and she elects to lead them in her favorite song [Music] [Music] with school over Young Jay and her mother reached the market in the town of chedru a few miles from mchan the moment has now arrived when she must buy a present for her grandfather decision yet to be made but what could be more confusing than having to select a gift from all the produce and goods piled up around well something special pair of socks straw sandals no not special enough then maybe a new pony hair hat what could be better that's pipe long stem pipe doesn't look unlike grandfather either long thin and rather funny just like him what really he like it will he use it is more important what's the good of having such an elegant pipe if it's never used no this should suit imp perfect [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] no one loves a birthday party like grandfather especially when it's his well that is only when he can share it with grandmother and all the children of the village you see when a Korean reaches age 60 birthdays take on new meaning he then become an elder of the village respected asked for your advice and so on grandfather is doubly honored because today he is 75 and though the children always enjoy themselves at such parties they never forget to show him their respect [Music] everyone learns too from an early age how to Bow properly and show reverence for it's a solemn occasion almost at last it's young Jay's turn and she must Wonder to herself how she might have better wrapped it so it wouldn't look like a pipe and more important will he like [Music] [Applause] it of course there's another side to such a party which means a good meal for everyone once the presents have been offered and open by [Music] grandfather [Applause] [Music] for he did yes grandfather is pleased with his pipe and when the party is over they enjoy sharing a quiet moment [Music] together of course he teases her a lot but then grandfather teases everyone it's his way now she mustn't forget to remind him of his promise to take her to the temple tomorrow in Korea and here on Chu Island women take on many roles divers housekeepers working the fields bringing in the Harvest grandfather teases them all with jokes and stories when they have time to listen they enjoy his company and he theirs and he'd probably remain in the fields all day but the temple beckon Buddhism is one of the most important religions in Korea and it is here in a local temple that young Jay and her grandfather come from time to [Music] time followers of Buddha find peace and TR quility here through meditation pressures and problems of the world beyond the temple take on a less important role and for Yung Jay it means a moment to be quite alone think her own thoughts [Music] [Music] it is to the Sea also that Yong turns to find a quiet moment where she can let her mind drift back to fchan the school the market and the trips to the washing well but never far from her mind are the Wonders the sea brings to her in the shape of little sea creatures and flowing seaweed found far down below the [Music] surface and it is to her grandfather that she turns when something troubles her she needs advice for there is a special feeling a line of communication between The Young and the old in this country which touches them both they can talk share dreams and ideas more important understand each other a grandfather has lived through it all a Devastation brought on by a war that divided the land into North and South Korea violent storms along the island Coast the joys of watching his family growing up around him he tells her too of the future the importance of Education before turning to the seene and young J Smiles because her grandfather mother is so wise will she she thinks ever be so wise someday [Music]