Ⅱ. Structure and Patterns of Jeju Batdam

Origin of Batdam Agricultural System

Island Jeju may be referred as ‘Country

of Rocks’

and rocks in Jeju became an

object to overcome but a resource for island

life at the same time. Enormous stone

cultures exist on the island. If we take a look

at Doldam (stone fence) alone,

‘Wondam

(stone net)’ probably is the first utilization

of rock as one of resources. The skill used

in the primitive stone net were also used

during the cave period. Walls of Jeju’s

traditional thatched roof house were built

with rocks and followed by Wuldam (rock

fence) and Olletdamstone fence at house

gate. Islanders utilized abundant nearby

rocks as their construction materials and built

Doldamto prevent strong winds inward. The

wisdom to build Doldam to prevent strong

wind became possible with their abundant

resource rocks as their construction

material. Islanders obtained their skills,

utilizing the easy and abundant resource

rock around them. However, building

Batdam agricultural system represents a

clearly different case against the integral

dwelling construction, considering labor and

dwelling sizes at that time. It never is an easy

idea to fence around a piece of farmland with rocks.

Batdamagricultural system wouldn’t have been developed. If Batdamagricultural system was found to increase

their size of yield only, Batdamagricultural system wouldn’t have had its purpose. Passion and love stay much closer

to us than scientific understanding and theories. For that background, Batdamagricultural system marked such

revolution for Jeju’s agriculture as a whole. By building Batdamagricultural system, everlasting winds were

blocked, soil protection helped crop growth and each farmer’s yield improved right away. We still can see the

revolution of Jeju’s agriculture among numberless amount of Batdamagricultural systems. We have learned

Batdamagricultural system was the best alternative to maintain the natural fertile soil and protect the top soil as

well as to protect soil from erosion. Batdamagricultural system serves its purpose far beyond being a border

from neighbors but a cultural asset, reflecting ancestors’ wisdom and will.

Formation Process of Batdam Agricultural System

Batdamagricultural system was built by an individual or a small family. It takes much less

labor, to pile around rather than moving them a far-distanced place from the farm. For that

reason, it’s easy to see Jeju Batdam agricultural system holds a much longer history. The

first innovation was Jeju Judge Kim Gu’s order in year 1234 to build stone fence for border

lines. It became the background for the equal expansions of Batdam agricultural system all

over Jeju Island. Batdam, at the beginning, was built to block off the incoming winds in farm

fields, but later added an additional purpose. To repeat it one more time, formation of Batdam

agricultural system settled in mid-Goryeo dynasty, but the first origination extends far

before that time. After sometime, cattle graze was delivered per village and Batdam

agricultural system protected tilled-soil from cattle’s INS & outs of their farmlands. Cattle

may go in any farmland and eat off crop, ruining the yearlong efforts for good yield. There

were frequent quarrels between farmers and ranchers and Batdam agricultural system’s

important role was to protect their farming from cattle. Cultivation was granted in ranches in

19 C., and Batdam agricultural system was built around the hilly areas. In Jatseong area

without ranch, Batdamagricultural system served as border line function between farmlands.

Form of land possession also explains the background of Batdam agricultural system

development throughout the entire island. In mid 1900s, average family size in Korea was

recorded 5.4persons/family while 4.2 persons in Jeju. The average farmland possession in

Jeollanamdo Province was 12,000㎡

while 22,000㎡

in Jeju. The statistic doesn’t necessarily indicate the

islanders were richer or greedier. Considering Jeju’s malnutrition-soil-condition, Jeju farmers needed bigger farmlands to

meet their minimum livelihood. Farmers didn’t cultivate, utilizing all possessed farmlands at once. After cultivation once, the

land needed to rest to boost its energy level. The unavoidable cause to expand their size of farmland also was the very

background that Batdam agricultural system expanded.