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Eel Hunting Tradition in Pangandaran Village

Selasa, 02 November 2021 - 01:21 | 53.62k
Dika and Huda hunting for eels in the rice fields, Sunday (31/10/2021). (PHOTO: Syamsul Ma’arif/TIMES Indonesia)
Dika and Huda hunting for eels in the rice fields, Sunday (31/10/2021). (PHOTO: Syamsul Ma’arif/TIMES Indonesia)

TIMESINDONESIA, PANGANDARAN – Hunting for eels or synbranchidae becomes a tradition of a village in Pangandaran. Locals from children, teenagers, adults, and even elders are participating during this seasonal event.

This event is commonly held during the cultivating season, right after the fields are irrigated and ready to be planted with paddies. However, after the paddies are already planted, locals can still hunt for eels in the fields without damaging the crops.

TIMES Indonesia found two boys named Dika and Huda who were hunting for eels in the fields in the area of the Cijalu - Pasirkiara route.

Berburu Belut a

“You can easily hunt for eels with simple tools, like strings, hooks, and small frogs for bait,” Dika said on Sunday (31/10/2021).

These eels usually hide between the gaps of the plowed soil or near the soil borders of the fields called “galangan”. “Sundanese people call this activity “ngajujul belut”, Dika said.

Dika explained that for eels hiding in the gaps, they need baits like small frogs. “We divide our bounties for the two of us, we bring them home, and cook them for dinner,” he said.

Berburu Belut b

There are usually some people who buy the eels they catch from the fields. “Eels are rich in proteins, thus, many people love to eat eels,” said Dika. There was a local who passed the route and bought some eels from Dika and Huda. “We sell a kilogram of eels for ten thousand rupiahs,” he said.

Besides the fishing method, Pangandaran people usually hunt for eels during the nighttime using lanterns. “In the night, the eels will emerge from the gaps and holes and will be easier to catch,” explain Dika. (*)

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