Net

Jala-buwang

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"421. Fishing net, or casting net - "Djala-buwang"
A large casting net made of brown string which is weighted down on its periphery with half-moon shaped pieces of lead. The natives are very skilful in making these nets. The netting is done with needles of bamboo. Fishing with these nets is one of the most common ways to catch fish. The fisherman stands up to his waist in water, his sarong wrapped around his body in which he keeps his betel box and also a basket hung onto it into which he puts the fish he catches. He holds the end of the sack-shaped net which runs to a point with a cord in his left hand while he throws out the net with his right hand so that it expands and falls to the bottom fully extended with its lead weights, thus covering the fish which happen to be at that place. Along with the pieces of lead on the periphery there is also a cord which has been threaded through the netting which then can be carefully pulled closed to form a sack and in this manner the fish that are within the net are caught. Fishing often takes hours and the native, who is only protected against the burning sun by his large straw hat does not tire at standing often a half a day in the water to do this job. The only refreshment he has during this tedious work is his betel, which is renewed from time to time."

Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 97-98). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller