Jeju is a beautiful island that has been designated as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to its well-preserved ecological environment. However, the island soil which was mainly formed from volcanic rocks offered a harsh environment for people to build their lives on. Faced with such hardship, the people of Jeju began to substitute scarce materials with alternatives found more commonly on the island, which eventually led to the development of a unique culture of their own.
Since most residents’ daily lives were devoted to labor, their styles of dress also evolved into the forms most suitable for working in. Herdsmen made and wore practical cold weather clothing using fur and leather that was readily available in their surroundings, while farmers wore garot dyed with unripe persimmons as both work clothes and everyday dress. Meanwhile, haenyeo or female divers who worked the sea wore mulsojungi, diving suits with a functional design that were made using only a small amAount of fabric.
As Jeju has a favorable environment for horse breeding, it has long been a center for the development of horsehair craft using horse manes or horsehair. Traditional headgear made of horsehair were once a Jeju specialty and making such hats was a very popular source of income near the port area which was conveniently located for shipping products to the mainland.
This exhibition showcases work clothes made of materials readily found in nature that strongly reflect Jeju’s geographical characteristics, including garot, mulsojungi, hats and shoes, along with traditional wedding costumes for both bride and bridegroom, as well as more casual clothing. In addition, it presents a variety of horsehair hats typical of Jeju handicrafts, along with storage cases and the production tools used to make them. Through the unique attire of Jeju which is unlike that found in other parts of the country, we can catch a glimpse of the tenacious spirit of Jeju residents who adapted themselves to nature through the creation of practical clothing.