Lubukbasung (ANTARA) - Residents of Kampuang Pariak, Nagari Garagahan, Lubukbasung District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra still preserve ancestral fishing gear in the form of “sukam” to catch fish in the Batang Antokan River in this modern era.
The head of the Piliang Group, Wel (42) in Lubukbasung, Friday, said that “sukam” is a traditional fishing tool passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years.
"Our ancestors used this ‘sukam’ fishing gear to catch fish in the river," he added.
Sukam was made from bamboo trees arranged in the river with bearing of selected wooden trees.
The cost to make sukam is around IDR 1.5 million per unit and the process to make it is about one day.
Fish catch depends on weather conditions and river water. If there is high rainfall and high river water, the fish catch such as gariang, zidat, tilapia and others reaches around 50 kilograms per day.
The fish that have been caught are sold to residents around Lubukbasung and West Pasaman.
"Money from fish sales will be set aside for capital to make sukam and land lease for Rp. 4 million for three years. We will divide the rest into groups of 10 people," he explained.
Garagahan Community Leader, Tarazi (58) added that there are about 10 units of sukam fishing gear along the Batang Antokan River and the owners of the sukam are private and also in groups.
"The sukam fishing gear is environmentally friendly and is an attraction for the local community," he added.
Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani
In modern era, residents in Parik Agam still preserve "sukam" fishing gear
Piliang group members are waiting for fish to enter the sukam in the Batang Antokan River, Friday (8/21). (ANTARA / special)
