The Kamayura people of Ipavu village need a seine fishing net for their ritual fishing. The skill of weaving these nets has been lost as a consequence of the contact with the outside world, hence the need to find alternative sources for the fishing net. Ritual fishing will enable the survival of several traditions, like the praying over and blessing of the net by the shamans, chants and dances. The net will be lent to neighboring ethnicities, strengthening local relations.
The Kamayura do not have a ritual fishing net. They are preparing a chain of inter-tribal festivities in 2015. The fishing net will not only provide food for the inter-tribal festivities, but will grant the survival of several sacred rites associated with caring for and use of the net, rites in which the whole village partakes. The net will benefit many villages, as the Kamayura will lend it to their neighbors upon request, an exchange that solidifies inter-tribal relationships.
The fishing net is tightly linked to food security and culture. Without it, ritual fishing will not take place and beautiful traditions will be obliterated: the blessing of the net by the shamans, the feeding of the net by young fishermen, the preparation of the net, a collective activity that involves chanting and dancing. This net is lent to other ethnicities, reinforcing reciprocity and forging alliances between these micro-nations.
This fishing net will help to maintain and reinforce longstanding traditions and alliances with nearby communities. It will also be used to train the next generation of Kamayura fisherman.
