Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/313

 carried away by the stream. The fish naturally collect on the upper side of this dam. After a month or two the time comes for emptying the lhòm (pòh lhòm).

When the water is low the space occupied by the timber is enclosed with jang. One piece (kraʾ) of jang consists of a screen of split bamboos (kraʾ) from 22½, feet to 45 feet in length, the bamboos being fastened together much in the same way as "chicks" or sun-screens used in this country. This wall of jangs fastened together so as to cover the required space, is fixed round stakes set in the river bed, so that the bamboo screen stands upright to a height of from 4′ 6″ to 9′. The dam of timber within the space thus enclosed is then removed, and the fish so hemmed in are caught with nets (jeuëʾ, nyab).

Jangs are also used for catching fish in aluës, the branches or back-waters of creeks or rivers, which are separated from the latter by comparatively dry spots when the water is low. While the water is still high, the aluë is marked off on both sides with rows of jangs, the junction of the aluë with the river being enclosed by a jang (ntòng jang) set between the extremities of these side walls and almost circular in shape, with one opening leading into the aluë. When the water subsides, the fish in the aluë are debarred from returning to the river (or creek) by the accustomed way; the only door that is open to them leads right into the circular jang, but on passing through this opening they are caged in and can find no means of exit. The fishermen then pull the fish out of this cage with the hand or with scoop-nets.

The places where this method of fishing is practised are usually marked by banks thrown up on either side.

The implements used for fishing in the sea bear the same names as those employed in the kruëngs, but of course differ somewhat from the latter in size and make.

Fishing from boats (jalōs or prahōs) lying at anchor is carried on by means of an ordinary sea-line (kawé laʾōt) without a float (lampōng) but furnished with a lead (batèë kawé).

The towing-line (kawé huë or kawé tunda) is towed behind vessels sailing swiftly before the wind. For this a bunch of white chicken's feathers is used as an artificial bait. These are fastened round the line