Author: moikikorim

Zunthi or Junthi is used for trapping birds such as wild fowl and small animals. Several bamboo hooks are attached with the ropes so that the birds can be easily trapped.

This is a hunting tool made of iron. The shape of the iron clip is triangle and the edge is sharp. This iron clip is attached to a long wooden stick. This is called as Se:lu by the people of Garo community.

It is a spindle shaped trap made of fine bamboo strips with fencing like design. The middle portion has the highest girth and tapers towards both the ends. It has two conical shaped trap doors which act as non-return valve. The trapped fish and other aquatic fauna are removed through an opening at one end of the implement. These traps are fixed at the channel or streams of water in the paddy field or shallow waters to capture fish and crabs in the rainy season. These are common across the communities in Assam.

A borokhi is a simple fishing rod having a long, flexible stick or pole made of bamboo for angling. A string with an iron hook at its end is attached to the pole. To lure the fish, baits such as earthworms and other insects are pinned to the hook in such a way that the hook gets stuck in the mouth of the fish if it swallows the bait. The rod or pole is held in hands while the string goes into the water. A small floating object like a piece of bamboo or stem of a plant is also attached to the string and only from that point the string goes under water. When fish nibbles the bait, the floating object starts moving, thus alerting the fisherman. When it gets fully submerged in the water, it means the fish gulped the bait and is stuck to the hook, thereby, letting the fisherman know its time to pull the string out of the water.

This kind of bamboo made trap is used for fishing in small streams, lakes or ponds. This conical shaped trap is made of a single piece of bamboo. One side of it is made into several slits and formed an opening in circular and conical shape by fixing with a bamboo strip. This opening is fixed in an area having flow of water to catch the fish and other aquatic edible flora which try to flow along the water course. These are frequently checked by the fisherman for collecting the fish. This is common among the communities in Assam.

It is a spindle shaped trap made of fine bamboo strips with fencing like design. The middle portion has the highest girth and tapers towards both the ends. It has two conical shaped trap doors which act as non-return valve. The trapped fish and other aquatic fauna are removed through an opening at one end of the implement. These traps are fixed at the channel or streams of water in the paddy field or shallow waters to capture fish and crabs in the rainy season. These are common across the communities in Assam.

Jaal is a common fishing net used by the Koch-Rajbongshi community. It is used to catch small to big fishes in rivers and lakes. It is made of nylon fiber, braided in a very intricate grid like pattern.

This object is a crab catcher, locally known as Khang Tharai Haichunkhsi, mainly used for pulling the crab from the pit. An iron rod which is bent one end is attached to a wooden stick.

Jenga or Zengai is a large bamboo made fishing trap without valve. It is semi conical in shape, with wide opening. Twill technique is used for making this fishing trap. Jenga or Zengai is kept under the water and after a few days, the trap is removed the water and the trapped fish are caught.

Ashra Je is a circular fishing net with small net sinkers distributed around the edge. The net is cast or thrown by hand by fisher for casting the net in the air itself so that the net sinks into the water in a broad manner. The upper end of the net is closed and the lower part is wide which is used for hauling the fish. A long piece of string is also attached as handline with the upper part of the net which is tied at the hand of the fisher.