Fishing With Drugs

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 872, 16 January 1930, Page 8

Fishing With Drugs

A PICNIC IN POLYNESIA PICNICS with their gay holiday atmosphere and freedom from the conventions of everyday routine are as much a feature of Polynesian life as Sf that of the present-day generation of Aucklanders. One of the most popular of Pacific Island outings was and is still the “hola” or “hora,” a pastime which consists of drugging fish in specially-selected areas of water and then catching them in hundreds. The novel custom is widespread, being found in troubled Samoa, in Hawaii, and in Rarotonga.

At suitable points, where the receding tide leaves big ponds, three to six feet deep, on rocky ledges of beach, the intoxicating material is introduced into the water and after allowing time for the intoxicant to permeate the entire pool waters the raid on the dazed finny folk is made. The fishing is essential to this particular type of picnic, but not more so than a dip in the tide is to the average excursionist to the seaside. The preparations are elaborate. Naturally, however, they vary in different localities, and even the names of the picnic vary. The Rarotongan is the “Cockney” of the Pacific, so far as linguistic ability is concerned. He simply cannot manage an “h” sound. The “dope” used in snaring fish is made generally from the matahora shrub, the leaves and bark being pounded up. At other places the seed kennel of the hutu is used. The material, when prepared, is placed in leaf baskets so as to be easily dissolved in the water. Once the picnic is decided upon, wholesale invitations are sent out to nearby neighbours, who never refuse to become parties to the adventure. BROADCAST INVITATIONS In Rarotonga a recent visitor saw a party of women bedecked in the latest native wear, travelling in flower-hung motor-lorries, visiting village' after village, and broadcasting invitations to a fishing picnic. Each village is expected to bring its own share of the “fish dope.” The women immediately set about making the taro puddings, arrowroot tarts, bread fruit puddings—embellished with coconut cream—and other dainties. New skirts are deftly fashioned and flowers gathered for hair ornaments. Altogether it is a busy period of effort and excitement. At the fishing place each tribe is allotted its part of the beach. Natives are convinced that fish are like human beings: when they have fed at night they sleep until the twinkling of dawn recalls them to humdrum tasks of finding more food. Therefore the time for fishing is just before the dawn when a low tide has trapped the fish in the big pools of the rocky basins. The various tribes are responsible for the effective “doping” of their allotted portion of the ponds, and chants precede the ceremonial laying out the kits along the beach, the more

irrepressible of the young native women breaking into holiday dances. SIGNAL TO BEGIN The controller of the ceremonies — often a woman—with banging of wooden gongs, gives the appropriate command to spread the intoxicating substance. This is a man’s job and can be done only after a fierce exhortation to leave spears behind, refrain from smoking, and to avoid Ditiug the head off a fish. These and other covenants must not be broken or —“no fish.” In reality, the prohibitions are based on practical considerations. By leaving spears behind none of the “dopespreaders” is tempted to drop his work and go after fish; smoking would detract attention from the work, and biting off the head of fish —a method still used in Samoa for killing fish — would have the same effect. The prohibitions are designed t'o secure a fair field and no favour, for all hands. When all is ready the men, armed with four or five-pronged spears, and the women and children carrying wooden clubs and kits, make a concerted rush into the water. The small fish are often dead from the effects of the doping. The bigger fish are too ill to make their escape. Mullet and other powerful fish seem to be able to stand the doping, but they are soon hunted out from their hiding places under the rocks. EXCITING MOVEMENTS From then on the party becomes exciting, the hunters prodding and thumping their prey amid the yells of the adults and the shrill scxueals of the children. As they leave the water the people throw some of their catch on to a common pile. It is the freewill and customary gift to the common fund, and is distributed among the old women, sick people, and visitors, who are unable to take part in the fun. Then comes the feast. Fried fish, grilled over an open fire, followed by the puddings. In the native mind, no Christmas dinner could compare with such a grand “spread.” Each family group eats together, the dainties placed on leaves spread on the ground. The excitement and enjoyment is infectious, and fish yarns have a merry innings. Fortunately, for the health of the communities and for the maintenance of the fishing grounds, these picnics are not frequefft. T.W.