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The Material Culture of the Cook Islands (Aitutaki)
6.—Fish Traps
6.—Fish Traps.
Two kinds of fish traps were made, the anga and the hinahi.
| (1.) | The anga. The anga is a large, cylindrical trap, with an entrance, matatapua, at each end. The entrance is funnel-shaped and narrows down to a cylindrical passage, iho, which is divided in the middle by a partition, paruru. On either side of the paruru, and on the lower side of the iho, a hole is left patent. These holes are the real entrances into the trap, and are hence named ngutupa, the doorway.
The trap is commenced with the iho part and widens out at either end to the full circumference of the trap. The framework is made of iron-wood. It consists of longitudinal stakes, hora, round which a number of smaller branches, combined together to give strength, are twisted in a spiral manner. This transverse element is called the pokai. See Fig. 269. .jpg)
Figure 269. The partition, paruru, consists of five horizontal stakes tied across a middle hoop, which is about 6 inches in diameter. From the partition the cylindrical passage, iho, extends for 18 inches in either direction. It is formed of two sets of longitudinal stakes, hora. The first set consists of 15 thin rods, round the outer side of which the tranverse spiral pokai passes. Each rod is lashed to pokai with sinnet two-ply cord wherever they cross. On the outer page 309 side of the pokai spirals there are three thicker longitudinal rods, one above and two below. The pokai is tied to these thicker outer rods by a continuous chain knot. The two lower rods are 3½ inches apart. For 6 inches of their course, on either side of the partition, they are not crossed by the pokai, neither are there any thin rods between them on the inner side of the pokai. These open spaces of 6 inches by 3½ inches form the ngutupa. From the outer ends of the iho passage, the 15 thin rods are turned outwards at an angle, Fig. 270. This angle is maintained by gradually increasing the size of the spiral turns made by the pokai. Shorter rods are placed in the intervals between the 15 bent up longitudinal rods from the iho. Between the two sets of 15 rods, the pokai spiral passes, and thus forms the funnel-shaped outer entrances or matatapua. When the pokai has reached a diameter of about 22 inches, it is run together to form a marginal hoop. The same is done at the other end, when the outer covering is ready to be put on. See Fig. 270. .jpg)
Figure 270. a, matatapua; b, iho; c, paruru; d, ngutupa. Between the outer hoops of the funnel-shaped ends, two sets of longitudinal rods are stretched. The outer set consists of 54, about as thick as a finger. They are evenly spaced on the outer circumference of the marginal hoops. The inner set also consists of 54. They are much thinner, and are spaced in the intervals of the outer set, but attached to the inner circumference of the marginal hoops. The pokai elements pass in a spiral between the two sets of longitudinal elements. The pokai forms a composite hoop of smaller, shorter lengths of iron-wood, about 2 inches in circumference. The short branches are added separately page 310in such a manner that they do not all end at the same time, but maintain the continuity of the pokai. The short lengths are easily bent under the outer set of longitudinal rods and pass naturally above the inner set. The sinnet cord which lashes the crossings in position follows the pokai as it continues its spiral course. In lashing the cord merely passes over the crossings made by the outer set of rods. Passing to the inner or under set of rods, it makes a complete turn round the crossing, Fig. 271. This technique is continued to the marginal hoop of the other funnel-shaped end. .jpg)
Figure 271. A, Outer view. B, Inner view. a, outer set of hora; b, inner set of hora. About half-way along on the outer surface an opening 6 inches by 8 inches is left. This is the outer opening, or papani, through which the catch is removed. It is covered by eight rods, each 1 foot 2 inches long, and kept together by two sinnet cords, which pass with a clove hitch round each rod. One end of the cords is tied to the frame to act as a hinge, whilst the other ends are also tied to the frame to keep the opening closed. To render it still more secure, two longer rods are passed transversely through the frame-work on either side of the opening. Another rod is passed diagonally over the ends of the two rods, as seen in Fig. 269. When the trap is completed it is taken to the beach. "Ka ina ki te ahi kia maoa te toa," "It is heated at a fire to cook the iron-wood." Heating hardens the bark of the iron-wood and prevents it from peeling off. If the bark peels off, fish will not enter the trap. The trap is not baited, but is set in a channel near some rocks. The fishermen select a suitable place. The page 311trap is set on the bottom, with its long axis in the direction of the run of the fish. It is weighted down with stones. The stones are carefully arranged in a natural manner, to deceive the fish that they are entering a natural hole in the rocks. The setting takes a little while, as the men have to dive for loose stones and place them in position whilst under the water. If badly set the fish will not enter the trap. Parrot fish, uhu, and all kinds of rock-frequenting fish are caught. A list of forty kinds of fish that enter the anga was supplied to the author. In Rarotonga the above type of trap is made of the roots of the Freycinetia, kiekie. Fig. 272 shows one in the course of construction. The hour-glass appearance of the inner part may be noted on the right. .jpg)
Figure 272. |
| (2.) | The Hinahi. The name hinahi corresponds to the Rarotongan and Maori hinaki. The k of the latter has been changed to the h in Aitutaki, owing to Tahitian influence on the dialect. The hinahi is round in shape, with a flat bottom and a funnel-shaped entrance at the top, Fig. 273. The funnel-shaped opening is called the iho. |
The material from which the trap is made consists of the long, thin roots of the cocoanut palm, aka niu. These are dug up and followed along for quite a distance. They are beaten on a log so as to split the outer skin, which is removed and discarded.
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Figure 273.
The hinahi fish trap.
The process of manufacture is called raranga hinahi. The elements are divided into two sets. The longitudinal or vertical elements are called hora. Each hora consists of two lengths of aka niu. The transverse element or pokai consists of a pair of aka niu. The pair passes round each hora in a single-pair twine, Fig. 274.
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Figure 274.
Single-pair twine of pokai elements in hinahi trap.
a, pokai; b, hora.
The twining commences with the funnel-shaped opening. As the trap opens out, additional longitudinal elements are introduced. The pokai elements continue the single-pair twine in a continuous spiral. Unfortunately, a hinahi was not seen in the process of manufacture, and the details of shaping and finishing off at the bottom cannot be given.
page 313On the flat floor of the trap a cross-piece of iron-wood called a teha is lashed, to add strength. Four sinkers of pohatu maori are lashed to the outer ends of the cross piece with hau bark, Fig. 275. The trap is baited, usually with the maito fish. This is tied to the inner surface of the trap near the opening.
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Figure 275.
Parts of the hinahi trap.
a, teha; b, sinkers; c, iho entrance; d, support for ropes.
Near the opening on the upper surface, a piece of wood is passed under three or more hora on either side. A short piece of rope is attached to each and brought together above and spliced into a loop, Fig. 275.
To the loop, a longer rope of about twenty maro (arm span) is attached. To the other end of the long rope a number of floats, uto, are attached. They are usually of breadfruit wood, and about a foot long. One end is placed on the rope. A cord is wound round and round them, and finished off on the rope with a half hitch. In deep water as many as forty floats may be used. They are attached to the rope about two feet apart, or one vavahanga. The last float may be two feet long and much wider than the others.
The baited trap is sunk in deep water, the sinkers keeping it stationary, whilst the floats serve as a mark, as well as keeping up the rope. There is an outer lid, papani, for removing the catch. The fish caught are of the sea eel family, takiari. Others enumerated were karaho, vaharoa, parakava, kopeti, tuhua, teatea, koiro, and kăkăkākākuru.