6.21-22.08 - Sangmelima - We went out on the Dja River, which runs in almost a complete oval before it trickles into the Congo River, forming a natural border around the reserve. On the river's edge live the Kaka, a fishing tribe in southern Cameroon. The fishermen took us on a short trip down the river to watch them set nets and fish in their dugout canoes. It was an amazing experience.
As we started filming, the fisherman in the red hat started singing a song (pretty perfect, singing a hymn-like song as you are floating down a river in the rainforest) as he gently laid the nets into the water and pulled out other nets he had set the day before. Then suddenly he pulled up what appeared to be a small catfish and quietly stopped singing to beat the hell out of the fish. Then, he went back to peacefully singing and the Tao of the river was restored.
Living Earth provided these fishermen with a deep freezer to allow them to collect more fish and sell it at market in town. They are currently trying to finance a motor boat because the fisherman have to travel nearly 40 km down river to bring in enough fish to feed their families and sell at market. 40 km is a long way to go in a dugout, hence the motor boat.
River scene
Dropping a net.
Checking for holes.
The aforementioned catfish...poor bastard.
Heading back home.
Heading back home 2.
The day's catch, small, but delightful.
The catch was bought by one of our assistants to take home for dinner.
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