Tamna

Tamna was a kingdom based on Jeju Island, off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, from ancient times until its absorption by the Korean Joseon dynasty in 1404, after a long period as a tributary state or autonomous administrative region of various Korean kingdoms. Legend gives the island three divine founders — Go, Yang and Bu — who emerged from three holes in the ground in the 24th century BCE; the holes, known as Samseonghyeol, are preserved in Jeju City to this day, though no historical record of the founding exists. The island's ruling families split rule between the Go clan, hereditary lords of West Tamna, and the Moon clan of Nampyeong, princes of East Tamna, each for some four hundred years. Tamna is first attested under the older name Tammura, and over the centuries it served successively as tribute-bearing vassal of Silla, whose king granted the Go lord the title of 'star-lord', of Baekje, and of Goryeo, whose founder received the Tamna ruler at court. Its position on the sea route between Korea, Japan and China kept the island connected to all three, while its horses and abalone were prized tributes. In 1404 Joseon finally incorporated the kingdom, ending Tamna's autonomous rule.