Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 13 2010:
The traditional community fishing activities practised by villagers of willong areas in Senapati district began yesterday at the origin of Barak river.
The tradition called 'Kajoi' is being participated by nearly 3000 villagers of Willong Khunou, Khullen, willong Pumdunglum and Kamalong villages in the rivulet between Kathilan and Ngaviiloingam, from where the Barak River begins.
It is informed that Maram tribes settled around Willong area had been sustaining the age-old traditional community fishing.
According to chairman of Willong village ngauning Gabriel the Maram tribes have a strong believe that failure to sustain the tradition in either the month of March or April in a year brings misfortune to the people.
Informing that irrespective of gender village elders to youngsters take part in the community fishing, he said scything the fishes in water with sharp weapon (dao) is a tradition.
The male participants hand their catch to either the village elders or gift it to a damsel before dusk, Gabriel said further informing that on the first day fishing materials such as herbs/roots are collected followed by the actual fishing on the next.
The fishing activities continue on the third day as well, the chairman added.
The community fishing this year is being organised under the auspices of Maram Students' Union as a part of the student body's year long golden jubilee celebration, he informed.