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[edit] Jaliya

The occupation of a fisherman is considered a degrading one throughout India, and no Muhammadan will engage in it.1 For this reason it is usually followed by unclean, and generally non-Aryan, tribes. In Bengal the fisher castes are remarkable for strength, nerve, and independent bearing. The finest examples of Bengali manhood are found among them, and their muscular figures astonish those accustomed to the feeble and effeminate inhabitants of towns. The physique of the Dacca fisherman is

1 The dishonour clinging to fisher tribes is apparently of Buddhist origin. It is written that "twenty-one kinds of people will, on account of their evil deeds, fall into the lowest hell. By performing good works, nineteen of these will be released; but the hunter and the fisherman, let them attend Pagodas, listen to the law, and keep the five commandments to the end of their lives, still they cannot be released from their sins." "Buddhaghosas Parables," p. 183, translated from the Burmese by Captain T. Rogers. London, 1870.

more robust than that of the same class on the Hughli, a fact noticed by Bishop Heber fifty years ago.

The three fisher castes of Eastern Bengal, the Kaibartta, Malo, and Tiyar, are undoubtedly representatives of the prehistoric dwellers in the Gangetic delta. As a rule they are short and squat, of a dark brown colour, often verging upon black, Although Hindus by creed, they are fond of showy garments, of earrings, and of long hair, which is either allowed to hang down in glossy curls on their shoulders, or fastened in a knot at the back of the head. The whiskers and moustaches are thin and scrubby, the lips often thick and prominent; the nose short with the nostrils expanded. The physiognomy indicates good temper, sensuality, and melancholy rather than intelligence and shrewdness. Their religious ceremonies consist of many survivals from an earlier and more barbarous cultus. Bura-Buri is a patron deity with them; Khala Kumari is the Naiad of their rivers, while Manasa Devi, a sylvan goddess, is worshipped with exceptional honour, and, among the Tiyars, certain mythical heroes have earned immortality, and the adoration of generations of sincere worshippers.

The three fisher castes live in amity with one another, and will even smoke together. The Malo, however, is the lowest in rank, while the Kaibartta and Tiyar still dispute about their relative positions. The Kaibartta, again, is more thoroughly Hunduized than either of the other two. A ridiculous distinction is always cited in proof of the inferior rank of the Malo. The Kaibartta and Tiyar in netting always pass the netting needle from above downwards, working from left to right; while the Malo passes it from below upwards, forming his meshes from right to left. It is remarkable that the same difference is adduced by the Bihar fisherman as a proof of the degraded rank of the Banpar.

No one belonging to a fisher caste will fish with a rod and line, or use a harpoon as the Shikaris do. Bengal fishermen use the sean, drift, trawl, bag, and cast nets. The Kaibarttas, however, will not employ an Uthar or Ber net, which are favourites with the Tiyar and Malo.

Nets are made of hemp, never of cotton, and they are steeped in Gab (Diospyrus glutinosa) pounded, and allowed to ferment, by which means the net is dyed of a dark brown colour, becoming after immersion in water almost black. Floats are either made of Shola, or pieces of bamboo, but dried gourds are occasionally preferred. Sinkers are made of baked clay, or iron.

The following are the common nets in use among Bengali fishermen:� 1. "Jhaki," or "Kshepla," is the circular cast net1 met with in all Eastern countries. It is usually six or seven cubits in diameter, and is either thrown from the bank of a stream, or from a boat. The circumference is drawn up into loops, or rather puckered, and weighted with iron. It is folded on the left forearm, while the edge and the central string are held by the right hand. By a sudden and forcible swing of the body the net is cast, and, if properly thrown, alights on the surface of the water, forming a complete circle. On its touching the bottom the fisher slowly draws it towards him by the string just mentioned, and, as he does so the heavily weighted edge comes together, and no fish can escape. The outcast Bagdi in central Bengal swings the net round his head before casting it, but no respectable fisherman would dishonour his calling by so doing.

2. The "Uthar" and "Gulti"are magnified cast nets, differing only in size and in the dimensions of the meshes. They are shot from a boat placed broadside to a stream, with the net folded on the edge. One man holds the centre rope, while two others gradually unfold, and drop it overboard. As the boat drifts the net falls in a circle, and is then slowly drawn up. One of these nets is often forty feet in diameter, and a long boat like the Jalka is required to shoot it from.

3. The "Sangla" is a small trawl net, used for catching "Hilsa." The lower edge of the bag is weighted, and after being shot the boat drifts with the stream. When a fish passing over the lower lip of the net, to which a rope held by the fisherman is attached, is felt to strike the back of the net, it is suddenly raised and the fish secured.

4. The "Baoti" is a fixed bag net, worked on the same principle.

5. "Chandi" is a large drift net, supported by gourds or bamboo floats, and in the water it hangs as a curtain like the herring net, the fish being caught by the gills.

6. Ber is a large sean, or sweep net, often thirty feet in depth, and seven hundred and fifty in length. Several nets are unually joined together to form this "train fleet," or "drift of nets." The upper edge, or back, is buoyed by bamboos, while the lower, or "foot," is weighted with iron. This is the favourite net with the Malos on the Meghna; but owing to its great length it has to be shot from two boats fastened together, and when drawn the two "wings," or ends, are slowly brought ashore.

7. "Bessal," or "Khara," is a fixed net, used either from the side of a boat, balanced by an outrigger, or fixed to posts on the banks of rivers. The net is attached to two bamboos, which meet at an acute angle in the boat, but branching off until separate about fifteen to twenty feet. One man stands at the angle and lowers the net into the water, while another sits at the stern working a paddle with his leg until a certain distance has been passed over, when the net, which is somewhat bagged, is leisurely raised. This net is fancied by Tiyars and Malos, who at the first dawn of day may be seen fishing with it off bathing ghats, and around steamers and vessels anchored in mid stream. Small fry are usually caught with it, but when fixed on the margin of a river, where there is a backwater or an eddy, large and weighty fish are often netted.

8. "Kona" is a large bag net used at the outlets of rivers and streams. The sides are fixed, and the mouth faces the current. The lower lip rests on the bottom, while the upper remains open, and at intervals the former is raised and the fish taken out.

Bengali fishermen are familiar with the habits of fish, and much might be learned from them on a branch of natural history strangely neglected in India. Night is the favourite time for fishing, quiet being necessary for success, and a full moon, or sunset and sunrise, are favourable times for shooting nets. The first of a spring tide is also a period when fish move.

It is a curious coincidence that the English fisherman, when looking for a place to shoot his large drift, or herring net, raps with a piece of wood the planks of his boat, close to the water line. The Malo is equally aware of the fact that brisk undulation of water frightens fish, causing them to move, and as the net is being drawn, a man beats the side of the boat with an oar, by which means the draught is increased.

During the month of mourning for a parent, no fisherman can ply his trade, or have any dealings in fish, unless he gets a special dispensation from the Purohit.

All fishermen object to sell the skate (Sagus), and will not retail in any way but whole the "Pangas" (Pimelodus pangasius), "Garua" (Silurus garua ), and "Gagar" (Pimelodus gagora). Neither will they catch, or sell crabs, nor touch the "Putka," bladder fish.1 Many of the fisher castes of India have the Muhammadan aversion to fish without scales, and few will eat, or even handle the "Singi" (Silurus singeo). Eels, however, they sometimes cook, but owing to the rich and heating properties of the flesh, it is not a favourite article of food. Muham-madans of the Hanifi school never eat amphibious animals, as the crab, consequently the only Bengali Muhammadans who use them as food are the indulgent residents of Chittagong.

1 Il Giacchio of Italian fishermen.

1 The Tetrodon patoca. It emits a sound when lifted out of the water, and fills itself with air. Like the T. Fahaca of the Nile, it serves as a plaything for fisher children.

It is unfortunate we cannot estimate the numbers and distribution of the different fisher tribes from the census returns, as the Manjhi, which are trade not caste names. The total number of persons belonging to the boating and fishing tribes of Bengal proper is returned at 1,301,174, a very low estimate, if we consider the important place fish holds in the native dietary. The correct composition, however, of the population of Bengal can only be ascertained when a better knowledge of the people and of their different classes and subdivisions has been acquired.

[edit] Notes