The of Tot Seaweed Gathering Custom and Aspects of Consumption in Jeju Island: Focusing on the case of Jocheon-eup district

Abstract

This work aims to study tot (seaweed) gathering customs and aspects of consumption among the other seaweeds of Jeju. This writing covers tot-gathering customs and focuses on how the gathering customs are practiced depending on changes in conditions such as marine resources and ecological environments, residential conditions, and others. In addition, there is a brief examination of how the collected tot is consumed. Haenyeo (women divers) have recognized the ecological properties of seaweeds, fishing grounds, tides, winds, and more. They have undertaken diving based on their knowledge and wisdom of the haenyeo community and following environmental changes. Tot-gathering customs are examined in terms of the operation of the fishing grounds, collection methods, and principles of distribution. Haenyeo have used the fishing grounds depending on the operating rules of the ocheongye (village fishing cooperative), while the areas are managed through cleaning activities known as gatdaggi. Seaweeds are gathered differently according to ecological conditions, and tot is communally collected and distributed. Lastly, the tot habitat and the gathering period are considered as functioning as the foundation for the tot food culture on Jeju. Traditional fishery culture is a motive to pass down community spirit and traditional culture. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze how haenyeo communities adapt to environmental change alongside aspects of transmission for livelihood community cultures.