Headline: Traditional Fisherman‘s Life: Malam Sunyi, Indonesia‘s Last Saum Fisher
Malam Sunyi, a name that echoes the spirit of tradition and resilience, belongs to a man who has dedicated his life to a unique fishing method that has nearly vanished in the modern era. In the Indonesian archipelago, particularly around the Riau Islands, Sunyi is renowned as the last practitioner of the ancient art of ‘saum’ fishing.
Saum fishing, an ancestral technique, involves a process as intricate as it is challenging. Fishermen like Sunyi construct a large V-shaped device from bamboo, attached to a long pole. This ‘saum’ is then submerged into the ocean, with the open end facing the current. As the tide ebbs, it traps unsuspecting fish, snapping them shut when the water flows out. It’s a test of strength, patience, and keen understanding of the sea’s rhythm.
Sunyi, a humble and weather-beaten man in his late sixties, remembers days when the shoreline teemed with fellow saum fishermen. But one by one, they hung up their hooks, lured by the faster, easier returns of modern fishing gear. Today, Sunyi stands alone, a silent sentinel of a fading tradition.
"There’s no rush in saum fishing," he explains, his voice as slow and steady as the tide. "You wait, you watch, you learn. The sea doesn’t give up its secrets easily."
Sunyi’s catch is modest compared to modern trawlers, but his method is sustainable, with minimal environmental impact. He sells his catch directly to local markets, ensuring the freshest fish at affordable prices. Yet, the future of saum fishing hangs in the balance. Sunyi’s children have left the profession, drawn to the city’s lights and promise of better incomes.
Despite the bleak prospects, Sunyi isn’t ready to throw in his saum just yet. "This is who I am," he says, gazing at the horizon. "The sea, the saum, they’re my life. I’ll fish until I can’t fish anymore."
Sunyi’s story is a poignant reminder of the cultural heritage we stand to lose in the relentless pursuit of progress. As we marvel at our technological advancements, let’s not forget the traditions that shaped us, the stories that connect us to our past, and the people like Malam Sunyi who keep these heritage alive, one catch at a time.
