Fishermen on a Stick, Weligama, Sri Lanka

            Stilt fishing is a tradition that only about 500 fishing families in the southwestern-most Sri Lankan district of Galle practice. Though no one knows exactly how and when the tradition started, some of the older fishermen recall that stilt fishing was started after the Second World War by some inventive fishermen. Fishing at the time was done from rocks protruding above the ocean surface. As not enough of these rocks were available for all fishermen, some used iron poles left over from the war and planted them into the reef. But even these iron poles were scarce, so the fishermen soon discovered that even wooden poles were strong enough to be planted into the reef and thus, stilt fishing in today’s form was born. 

Stilt fishing had nearly disappeared after the devastating tsunami that hit the country and other parts of the Indian Ocean, but soon the people returned to their customs, and now you can again spot them sitting on their uncomfortable stilts, hoping to catch something.

Though they may be beautiful to look at, stilt fishermen have it rough. They spend hours sitting on a thin plank, hoping to catch one or two fish about 5 cm-long, that they sell for about 2 cents each. The rough waves keep the big fish away, so they sometimes have to settle for the smallest catch.

Taken in: Sri Lanka / Southern / Weligama (show map)

Taken on: May 27, 2006

Tags:

my_gear_and_me_premium

my_gear_and_me_bronze

my_gear_and_me_silver

my_gear_and_me_gold

my_gear_and_me_platinum

my_gear_and_me_diamond

PanoramaFotográfico « less

Sets appears in: • Our Favorite Photos • Your Favorite Photos more » • 10 to 25 faves • Lakes, Rivers & Beaches • Sri Lanka « less

Groups appears in: • Water... Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, Creeks • Marine (3 per day) more » • Retrace Cultures & Design of Landscape • Sri Lanka - Serendib • Traveller's World • Better Than Good • Traveler's Photos • Gold Star Awards Level 1 (1P/3C) • Life is beautiful! • "World Trekker" (Post 7 - Award 3) • Royal Group - Have a Good Light ! • WORLD LANDSCAPES 1 • Flickr Number One !! • !Group Tripod (post1~comment4) • FOLKCLORE (164 INTERESANTES GALERÍAS ABIERTAS) • PANORAMA FOTOGRAFICO [ No Photos White & Black ] • Baú Group Images • The Class Act • Travel Pixes • - Univers marin - (1 post / 1 comment) • PEOPLE_OF_ THE_WORLD • **Platinum Heart Awards** (Only with 8+Heart Awards Invitation!) • **Platinum Hearts Hall of Fame** Photos With 10 Platinum Hearts • **Heart Awards** (P.1 Award 5) Open - Sweeper present • different visions • Sri Lanka Photo Collection • Flickr's "BEST" pictures !! • People, costumes & customs no limits {Admin invite only} • ***All beautiful shots and many more. • ***Flickr Global • *ANGEL AWARDS, POST 1 / GIVE 3 ANGELS , SWEEPER ACTIVE • VIVID & STRIKING - P1/A3 - Sweeper Active • The Best of Cengiz & Squeeze me 2 groups(Admin inviteFav1+Com.5) • Just My Best Shot • Lovely villages, fields, meadows, swamps & countryside • FRONTIERE CLANDESTINE • Passion Of The Heart - closed • Obiettivo & Fotocamera • A più colori • * * Nossas Vidas / Nosso Mundo * Our Life / Our World * * • THE ORIGINAL GOLD SEAL [ Invitation Only / Post 1 - Award 4} • [CLOSED]My Gear and Me #1 - (Post 1 - Award 5) • [CLOSED]My Gear and Me #2 - Premium (P1A5 Only Invited Photos!) • FROZEN LIFE MOMENTS - Post1/Comment2 • [CLOSED]My Gear and Me #3 - Bronze Selection (P1A5 Only Invited • [CLOSED]My Gear and Me #4 - Silver Selection (P1A5 Only Invited) • [CLOSED]My Gear and Me #5 - Gold Selection (P1A5 Only Invited) • One Sweet World • [CLOSED]My Gear And Me #7 - Diamond Elite Selection (Only Invite • [CLOSED]My Gear And Me #6 - Platinum Exclusive Selection (P1A5 I • Gli amici di Marina • Sharing images from our world • ㋡ VIVE LA RÉSISTANCE ❗ ㋡ « less

Camera: NIKON E8700, f/6.6, 1/373 sec, 61.5mm, ISO 50 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	NIKON E8700
Aperture:	f/6.6
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/373)
Focal Length:	61.5mm
ISO:	50
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	E8700v1.2
Show full info

Stats: 4,398 views / 265 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: