We took our first P-day at the beach. For some reason there is not the usual salty or fishy smell - just a semi-cool breeze. We had fun picking up small sea shells for the grandkids as we dodged the waves washing on the shore.
Fishermen take these sea worthy vessles out at night, drop their nets, park their boats on the beach and then call their family and friends to help haul in the catch.
We spied a group of fishermen starting to pull in their nets so we walked over to watch.
They start at dawn and finish between noon and 3 pm everyday. They tie both ends of the net to palm trees - look at the wear on this one! At first there are 2 men out in the ocean by the ball marking the curve of the net. There are several several waist deep, holding the net on their shoulders. Both ends of the net are on shore, each manned by 10-15+ men, who pull in unison as they sing or chant their songs in rhythm. They line the net along the treeline as they walk along the shore pulling. When they get the load in closer, they put both ends together. This acts as a funnel catching the fish in the curve.
By the time they get the fish on the beach the whole village has arrived to check it out. I was surprised that there wasn't any cheering. In fact, I was scolded by a big guy saying "no snap!" He didn't want me to take any pictures of the fish. It is something sacred to them. Elder Asay got this one. Unfortunately there is as much trash in the net as there is on the beach. There is quite a variety of species and sizes of fish, but the quantity hardly seems worth the effort!
Elder Asay aka Pied Piper, was making friends as usual!
The fishermen live across the street in a village of grass and stick huts.
No comments:
Post a Comment