|
Balinese
Fishermen
Between Catching Fish and Dollars
Indonesia as an archipelagic country surrounded
by vast oceans and most of its citizen deeply
involve in the profession of fisherman.
To fishermen, their life much depends on
the generosity of sea that is rich in fish
and several marine biotas like seaweed.
Different from modern fishermen that applies
high-teched ships to catch fish, while those
of Indonesia stay to operate their traditional
boat. The government of Indonesia has extended
great attention to fishermen whose life
lies under poverty line. They establish
fisherman groups so it will be easier to
deliver financial assistance, chiefly working
capital to purchase fisherman’s tools.
Even, every 6 April, the Indonesian celebrates
the Fisherman’s Day as a proof that
the authority put special attention to them.
Bali as part of the vast Indonesia is one
of tiny island that is also enclosed by
expansive ocean. Along the seashore, the
palm leaves are swaying just like engaging
in dancing exuberantly accompanied by sound
of water flowing in a small stream generated
by waves that kiss the beach fringe. Getting
bored with a variety of art and cultural
activities during your holiday in Bali,
just try to have a promenade along the beach
while rejoicing in the allure of coastal
panorama of Bali. Along the journey, you
will discern the exotic beachscape and not
rarely, you will find cordial greeting from
fishermen who are busy caring their jukung
or nets. They even look so busy making some
preparation for the next sailing. In the
meantime, women or their wife are singing
and helping their husband. And, their children
look so cheerful and play on the sand or
hunt for shells or other materials brought
by the waves. A Balinese folk song is faintly
heard from a radio turning on at a fisherman’s
hut. Its lyric says: "Juru pencar ya
juru pencar, mai luwas mencar ngejuk be,
be gede-gede di sowane ajaka liu" (O
fishermen, let’s go sailing to catch
fish, just capture big fish, yonder, in
the deep sea lies abundant fish). Other
than being known as artist with endless
creativity, the Balinese are also fishermen
that rely on their life on the graciousness
of the Lord Varuna, god of the waters. They
are sturdy people to sail the ocean to catch
fish for survival. Sea that surrounding
Bali is inhabited by several species of
fish and beneficial marine plants to human
life. Formerly, the profession as fisherman,
before the tourism develops as that of today,
was the main work for most of the Balinese
fishermen. In order they are safe during
fishing activity, a ‘Segara Temple’
is established on the beach fringe as a
sanctum to honour the Lord Varuna. At this
temple, they invoke safety in the voyage
of catching fish. In addition, this temple
also function as vehicle to strengthen the
social relationship and neighbourhood amongst
the fishermen. Good intellectual characteristic
and mutual appreciation amongst the fishermen
is well implanted due to the existence of
sanctum. Several social conflicts faced
usually resolved through assembly held at
this temple. Catches they obtained is not
only intended for self-consumption, but
also sold to finance family needs. The fishermen
usually sold their fish right on the beach.
The fish dealers are not less agile to wait
since the morning break, so the beach suddenly
changes into ‘instant market’.
Riots and crowds as well as bargaining shout
is boisterous occur amongst the dealers
with wives of those fishermen. It’s
so enthusiastic that they cannot feel the
cold air of the morning stick the bone.
Except for being the daily menu, fish also
made into one of offerings paraphernalia
presented to God daily called banten saiban.
While, in particular ritual or in the offerings
‘peras ajengan’, a tiny sea fish
name teri special fish is chosen placed
on small container made of banana leaf or
small plate, then also completed with assorted
fried beans and fried-grated coconut. In
addition, this tiny fish is also used as
side dish complement in the ‘nasi yasa’
or special Balinese delicacy on performing
particular ritual. There is also one who
likes to process this fish inot ‘sager’
(fried teri fish blended in grated raw coconut
with sauce). Fish has special place in the
Balinese life. It’s said that the world
was overwhelmed by extraordinary disaster,
human beings were panic where to save themselves.
In the midst of disaster, Lord Vishny comes
down to earth and saved human beings in
the form of huge fish or Matsya Avatar.
Probably, in association with this matter,
many Balinese (Hindu) establish a petulangan
(wooden sarcofagus) in the ngaben ceremony
in the form of fish. This fish is believed
to convey one’s soul engaged in the
ngaben cremation can arrive safely at the
afterlife plane. Maybe, it’s one of
potential of Balinese ancestral culture
of which profession as fishermen. Nowadays,
in line with the development of tourism
industry, art handicrafters make fish statue
en masse and exported them to overseas.
By making such huge fish statue, many handicrafters
find prosperous life and have abundant wealthies.
So do the fishermen, they now have side
job namely conveying tourists to luxuriate
in the allurement of the ocean. It means,
the economic life of fishermen in Bali is
increasingly better. They obtain blessing
from the development of tourism, chiefly
those who live in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua,
Candidasa and Lovina. Even, there are amongst
them who admit that they prefer to become
fishermen that ‘catch’ dollar
to fish. "Dollar is much more expensive
than the price of fish," jokes I Wayan
Sima, a fisherman from Kuta. Unfortunately,
since the twice explosion of the bomb in
Bali and scattering of the issue on fish
sold at market containing formaldehyde,
their life is suffering as their catches
unsold while the tourism condition remains
sluggish. However, there’s still luck
on he celebration of Fisherman’s Day
(6 April 2006). Several activities are held
for the celebration, so the life difficulties
they undertake can slightly disappear. On
that day, they will execute the dance of
fisherman presented by sweet girls and handsome
guys. Firmness of Balinese fishermen to
sail the ocean and agility to catch fish
indeed give an inspiration to Balinese artists
to compose the popular fisherman’s
dance up to now.Ketut Sumadi Contributor
to Bali Travel News
|
