“FISH” –Every non vegetarian food lover and mostly the one who is fond of fish would agree that fish cuisines take an adorable space in every menu.
But before the gastronomical delight comes the crucial part which is “Fishing”.
Fishing, also called angling is the sport of catching fish, freshwater or saltwater, typically with rod, line, and hook. Fishing for sport remains one of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation in the world. There are variety of fishing techniques which includes hand-gathering, spearing, netting, angling, shooting and trapping. However fishing is not just a sport but it is an integral part of the livelihood for many people. But when it comes to fishing in Assam, it is observed both professionally and traditionally.
Fishing is seen to be an art and we see community fishing as a practice observed traditionally in Assam. Mostly in Assam people catch fish in ponds and rivers whereas community fishing is traditionally performed in “beels”. People of all ages including men, women and children in rural Assam are seen taking active part in this community fishing activity in “beels” specifically and also in other water bodies with a festive spirit .
There are different fish catching techniques and gears and some of them are common while some are specific. Fishing gears and applications are used depending on various factors, such as types of water body, types of fish, nature of fish and season etc.
Villagers mostly prepare their own gears with bamboo and cane and those are also available in local village markets . Apart from fishing nets ,Polo, Jakai, Juluki, Khalai, Chaloni are some traditional fishing gears made of bamboo and cane which are used to catch fish.
Community fishing holds a culturally and emotionally driven space among the villagers in Assam .This mass activity of fishing is a must for all on the eve of Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu – the post-harvest festival, when the villagers together enjoy a community feast.
There are five methods of Fishing in Assam with each having a varied type of gears : Nets, Traps, Filtering, Hooks, and De-watering.
As per an article published in East India Story following are the names of the fishing tools known locally in Assam –
Fishing Nets (Jaal):
1. Ashrajal (casting or throwing net)
2. Tanajal (Drag net)
3. Parangeejal (Lift net)
4. Thelajal or Ghokatajal (Pushing or scooping net)
5. Chackjal (Round net or circular’ net)
6. Koilengijal (Gill net)
Fishing Traps (Fanda):
1. Chepa (Busket trap or cage trap)
2. Polo (cover pot)
3. Juluki (Cover pot)
4. Jakoi (Conical basket)
5. Sunga (Pipe trap)
6. Saloni (Filtering trap)
7. Bana (Wall trap)
8. Dalanga or Jhapa or Dewo (Fitting trap)
9. Dingara (Box trap)
10. Chahara.(Conical trap)
Hooks (Boroshi):
1. Single hook.
2. Multiple hook.
3. Line hook or floating hook
4. Fixed hook
5. Wheeled hook
Tools as Weapons:
1. Jathi (Spear)
2. Soli (Harpoon)
3. Konch (Harpoon)
Gear for De-watering:
1. Siyani (half cone shape bamboo basket)
2. Roped tin-basket
3. Mechanical water pump
Gears for night-hunting (Jhoracutta):
1. Balida (‘Dao’ for sacrificing)
2. Kanchi (Sickle)
3. Khaloi or Koke (Stocking pot)
4. Jhor (Source of light)
Fishing with no gears:
1. Hand practice
2. ‘Lati’ (Muddy bundh)
So next time when you see a “community fishing” activity then please don’t miss the chance and just plunge in and be a proud participant of it .
