MariaBocayOnak_SurroundingFish

Abstract

This recording is about the ways women do fishing. The first way is called surrounding. In surrounding, women go to the river that has shallow water; they prefer rivers that are covered with reeds. When they reach the river, they take off their clothes and put on loin-clothes brought specially for surrounding fish. They stand in a line and make a circle around the place they want to search for fish. Then they sit in the water and close in, searching for fish and catching them with their hands. When fish is finished in the place, they go and surround another place until they have enough fish. And then, they go home in the evening. The other two ways of women fishing are: kicking the fish, pulling out by hook and throwing hooks into the middle of river. Women use hooks with baits. In general, fishing is a major economic activity to the Shilluk people. Fishing is done mainly in the dry season, after people have gathered in their crops. It is done in the small rivers that may have parts covered with reeds. Men use fishing spears for fishing in the parts that are covered with reeds. And they use nets and fishing harpoons for fishing in the open parts that are not covered by reeds. While in the Nile they follow the nets as they are carried by the water current. Detailed information about fishing by men can be found in JwokpapyejGay_FishingPart1 and in JwokpapyejGay_FishingPart2.