SICHOK in our River

There is never an old place I have been that I will never go- the Barlig ricefields,mountains, rivers, nature and people. We went to "manichok" (women's fishing) when I was probably in highschool. We have done it with my classmates in the village. It was a first time experience and my friends are quite knowledgeable of it. It was learning to me, and as well fun!. This is really teamwork to make it successful, otherwise there wont me a fish for lunch! We caught a few but it is not easy and can be a disappointment if there is nothing to catch. Sometimes they say you must say a prayer to the river or to whoever seats in the water or the stones. One must be following the leader of to which corner, of when to move, of when to swim. Yes you must be a swimmer to do this one. Some of us we're not quite sober and we ended up swimming harsely at a wrong pace and direction- the river, the current, the fishes are disturbed! They wont be going inside the net! Sorry no fish, give a another try and be disciplined!.

I remember two occasions when I was very young, my grandmother on her own, positions her sichok net in between the stones in the river and then leave it there for some days. She goes back there especially just after a tide or strong rain. She's caught some! She is clever for that.

The second occasion, I watched one of the men in the Latang village, who was once known as "kumukulintti", a term for someone who uses electricity to fish. I can see him standing by the stones extending a stick with some wires and a battery loaded backpack. I stepped nearer and I felt the current on my leg, wow it is painful and quite shocking! Poor little fishes they die with no mercy. My father told me that fishes caught naturally is tastier than the one caught with dynamite or electricity. It is probably thesame with fishes raised in natural seas are better than fishes fed in the pond!. I hope that the local government will adopt laws against illegal fishing and illegal logging... The use of chemicals and electric in fishing, yes quick and easy but it kills the smaller fishes, disrupts the season of fishing, and especially disturbs the spirit of the river. Now we can't taste the real "kiachiw" and "chalet" anymore!

______________________

Now I will speak more of the photos here and the experience in Barlig during summer of 2007. The old women has invited me to take their pictures while doing the (“Sichok”) traditional fishing, and the men for their (“Kopor “) traditional way of making sugar cane wine. But all the time I was there and with May elections and campaigns there was never a chance for them, for us to make this happen. I hope in the future.

In this photographs, however, is simply showing how the young men were doing the traditional Women’s way of fishing which I happen to photograph them while I was taking a walk. It was unplanned but I am happy I could document it the simplest way.

“Sichok" is the local name of fishing. It is a net, hand sewed by women, strongly attached into a rattan curved stem. It is the most important part of the "Sichok" as there where the fishes are trapped by the strong current of water.

In the “Sichok” fishing, it is always done by a group of people (usually women). A medium size group not over a dozen individuals is a perfect number for not a quite wide river. There is always a leader (expert) that assigns the tasks and determine the way of the game.

This young men are told to cut some strong long grass (I don’t know the exact classification) locally called “Nuno”. They can be gathered near the river or in the deep forest. And they transport and carry them to their preparation area.

These "Nunos" are bundled about a grip size for the hand to hold on, using some of it’s leaves (or other roots) to knot making sure it would be strong. The middle stem is cleared off from it’s spiky itchy skin. :-)

Men have each two bundles to use. One, among them has to hold the net. Then they set to the river and choose a spot to fish.

The water is really chilly and it takes a lot of courage. Not too deep, not too shallow. Not too strong current. But one must know how to swim first, obviously.

Today, wearing a diving mask helps and making it easier. The man can see the ground first if there are some fishes.

The leader holds the net steady with a partner and waits for the rest to drive the fishes towards the net. They dance the stick of bundled leaves by moving it vertical up down motion. The men should move at almost thesame pace making sure there is equal gaps in between them as they progressively go to the corner. This is inviting and pushing the fishes towards the net.

They gently push them towards the net, and raise them at one time. There seems only few at the first attempt. The backpack basket to store what they caught! The excitement come and go, there can be fish-one, two or more, or might be none even. It is trial and error.

And then they have to study which corner and part of the river to try again, they go up or down the river but won’t repeat the areas they disturbed already.

In the old days, the women sing some chants while doing this. It is fun, exciting, a very social way of fishing, even. I could describe the most intimate way of respecting the nature of our river.

I like to hear the chants if possible, but haven't live before, maybe the river will.