The Moon and the Net : Study of a Transient Community of Fishermen at Jambudwip

Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. Introduction. II. The fishing camp: 1. How the sites of fishing camps were selected by the fisherfolk from East Pakistan. 2. Settlement site near the fishing ground. Discussion. III. Organisation of the fishing units: 1. Fishing units. 2. Recruitment of the unit members. 3. Formation and splitting up of the fishing unit. 4. Structure of the fishing unit. 5. Size of the fishing unit. 6. Place of origin of the bahardar and the fishing unit. 7. Caste composition of the unit members. 8. Past and present residence of the unit members. 9. Village of unit members in relation to that of their respective bahardars. 10. Kin relationship of the unit members. 11. Age group distribution and its role in the fishing unit. 12. Salary of the unit members. 13. Temporary character of the unit structure. Discussion. IV. Fishermen’s knowledge of the immediate environment: 1. Topography of the sea bed. 2. Judgements regarding sea water. 3. Types of fish and their behaviour. 4. Sequence of tide and ebb. 5. Ascertaining time and direction. Discussion. V. Technology: 1. tools and implements. 2. Techniques of fishing. Discussion. VI. Supernaturalism and rituals in fishing: 1. Evil eye and amulets. 2. Preparation of fishing gears. 3. The voyage. 4. Setting up of the fishing camp. 5. First net setting. 6. The first catch. 7. The first challan or sale. 8. The annual Ganga puja. 9. Winding up of the fishing camp. 10. Rituals of those who do not establish any fishing camp on the shore. Discussion. VII. Money and trade network: 1. Sources of capital. 2. Dadan system (money lending system). 3. Procurement of raw materials for fishing operations. 4. Disposal of fish in the camp. 5. Transporting the dried fish. 6. Weekly market. Discussion. VIII. Co-operation and conflict: 1. Co-operation. 2. Conflict. Discussion. IX. Summary and conclusion. Appendices. Literature cited. Glossary. Index.

""The Moon and the Net : Study of a Transient Community of Fishermen at Jambudwip", deals with the life and culture of the fisherfolk in a small island in the Bay of Bengal. It covers a thorough record of the technology, social organisation, economy and rituals of marine fishing. Special attention has been paid in analysing the ethno-science of fishing. It includes the knowledge of the fishermen regarding the relevant marine ecology, behaviour of the fish and cosmology. The ultimate goal is to understand the world view of the fishermen; particularly, to bring into relief their fundamental approach to life as a ‘gambler’. Efforts have also been made to record in detail how the financiers keep the practising fishermen under perpetual stranglehold of economic dependence." (jacket)