Lifestyle : The Fishing Methods

The Akha are an active hill tribe who usually seek for new things, including things for use in daily life and things to nourish their lives each day. They normally do fishing in every season; rainy season, summer and the cold season. There are different methods to fish in each season. The fishing methods are shown below.

“Tar Chee Chee Err” is one of the Akha fishing methods which is really popular among the housewives or the old people who are free from work in the fields. This fishing method is chosen to do in the rainy season or in slush. They use the earthworm as bait. The process is as follows. First, they have to cut a stick which is about 40-50 cms long and make a hole at the top of the stick with a burned, sharp piece of iron. Then, prepare the liana which is called “Chi Koo Ar Ja”, which is a strong liana that hardly can be torn. The Akha like to use this kind of liana for sewing bags. After they have prepared the stick and the liana, then they go to get the bait. The earthworms are weaved with the prepared liana. They will be tied with the stick after it is done. Then they prepare a place for keeping the caught fish called “E Yong”. They put the stick which is full of bait in the water when they arrive at the river. As soon as the fish comes to eat the bait, they will put the “E yong” over the fish. People who can do this method have to be active and move very fast.

•  “Nga Song Song Err” is the Akha fishing method by closing the waterway with bamboo and leave only a small space for the fish to swim through. During the space, the bamboo is neatly weaved to get the fish in. In this area the water flow is very strong and it is impossible for the fish to get out of the are if it is already in the area. The trap's owner will take a look every day in the early morning. This kind of fishing has to be done on a good day and also on a good day for the family because they have to erect the stick in the ground. Whatever they do which is related to the stick erection have to be based on an auspicious day of the family. This belief is passed through generations. •  “Nga Long Pee Err” is a fishing methods by blocking some of the water way and open another way for the water to flow. The fishermen will carry stones and put them in a line in the river where they want to catch their fish. Then they will cover the riverbed with soil until it is impossible for the water to flow. Then they use a cup, or another container that can be used to throw water out of the hole, and then catch the fish in there. It is fun to do fishing this way and it is possible to get both small and big fish. •  “Nga Mee Mee Err” is a fishing method which is based on the ability of each person, because they have to catch the fish by their hands. They reach into the holes and places where they think there might be fish. That may be in holes, at stones at the corners or at the roots of trees. Not everyone can catch fish this way. They have to practice many times before they catch the fish. Thus, they dip into the holes and they have to know the right way to catch the fish because there is also a risk that they will catch a poisonous animal in the holes. •  “Yar Der Der Err” is a fishing method which is used at night, and there should be no moon at that night. The Akha believe that fish are looking for food in the dark night. Their technique to catch fish at night requires that they cut a bamboo stick into small pieces and then put it on fire to get light. Next, they go to the river for fishing. At the river, they will see the fish which are looking for food and then they can cut the fish with a knife or use “E Yor” , the fish container, to catch the fish.

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