5. River Fishing

In the middle of the dry season when the river water is low, villagers sometimes go on overnight trips to catch fish using poisonous plant. They pick large amounts of leaves from small trees of Tephrosia sp. grown in the chitemene, and take them to the riverside. Then they crush them with mallets, mix them in dirt, and finally pour the mix into the river. The people go into the river and use their hands or net baskets to gather the stunned fish floating at the surface. They also set up basket traps downstream. This is a moment for appreciating the blessings of the river meandering through the woodland.

 


Villagers chasing fish numbed by the poisonous plant


Catch from the fishing using poisonous plant.


KAKEYA Makoto
Changes of Village Life in the Woodland of Northern Zambia: The Case of Bemba People

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