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Samoan Material Culture
Leaf Weirs and Dams
Leaf Weirs and Dams
Leaf weirs (tupa), v-shaped, with walls formed of coconut and banana leaves, are used in Salelolonga, Savaii. They are called tupa and though they belong to the weir (pa) class, they are now described from their being a stationary form of the short lau methods used in the same district. Two weirs, facing in opposite directions, are set close together for the reason that the i'a sina fish, for which they are made, move in shoals towards the east in the morning and towards the west in the evening. Of two such weirs seen, one was made of coconut leaves and the other of banana leaves. (See figure 256.)
The 'enu scoop net with a rigid frame is a little over 2.5 feet wide and fits against the stones on either side of the narrow muli openings of the weir. The stones give definite landmarks for the net to rest against, and also form a more natural opening for the fish to turn into the net. Though the leaves and leaflets of the walls afford ample space to pass through, the fish keep on so long as there is a clear opening in front. The weir bottom consisted of a hard, sandy surface and the i'a sina swim close to it. Hence, though the tops of the leaf walls may not reach the surface, the efficiency of the weir is not affected.
With the 'enu net in position, the fisherman stands beside it on the outside of the weir, holding a cord attached to the lower crossbar of the net opening. When the fish that have entered the weir are forced into the net by the converging walls, the fisherman lifts the opening of the 'enu with the cord. The fish are quickly removed into an ola fish basket tied around the waist, and the net is reset. The process continues until the fish cease to run.
For the morning run from the west, the fisherman must be at the weir before daybreak, as by 5:30 a.m. the fish cease to run in any number. For the run from the east, the right time is at sunset. There is no significance page 433between the banana and coconut leaf material except that the banana leaf forms the neater weir while the coconut one is easier to make.
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Figure 256.—Leaf weirs and their technique:
a, the banana leaf weir (tupa laufa'i) is made of banana leaves tied to a fuevai vine by their tip ends. The tip end of a banana leaf (1) is doubled over a vine (2) and an open overhand knot (3) made on the vine just beyond the leaf; b, the open knot is slipped over the doubled end of the leaf (4) and the knot (3) drawn taut; c, a number of leaves (1) are fastened along the vine 16 to 24 inches apart, short lengths of vine are used to save trouble with the knots, the shorter lengths are united by reef knots until a length of 20 yards is obtained. The connected vine is laid on the bottom of the lagoon in the line of the weir and anchored at intervals by large stones (5) placed on the vine, when the leaf stalks (6) float up to the surface. d, The weir (1) facing west has two walls of banana leaves, each 20 yards long. The site of the small opening (muli) is selected and the near wall (3) run to a rocky point on the shore to prevent fish passing between the shore and the weir, the outer wall (4) is commenced at the muli end 2.5 feet from the end of the other and inclined outwards so that the outer opening is about 30 yards wide. The second weir (2) facing east, is made of whole coconut leaves, the lines being decided on as in the case of the first weir, two or three leaves placed together are laid in the line and anchored by large stones placed on the leaflets of one side; sets of leaves with their ends overlapping are continued for the 20 yards lengths of the walls; the midribs and free leaflets float upwards and establish the leafy walls (3, 4). The muli end in each weir is 2.5 feet wide, and a large stone is placed on either side of the narrow opening; the coconut leaf weir (tupa launiu) with its large opening facing east, intercepts the shoals of fish as they move west in the evening, while the banana leaf weir intercepts them in the morning.
Dams (puni) are made across tidal inlets or estuaries of streams where the water is not too deep at high tide. The materials used are laupola sheets made from coconut half leaves in the same manner as the laupola thatch sheets. Stakes are driven into the muddy bottom three feet apart and in line, at low tide. The method is a community one. The leaf sheets are plaited and collected but the dam is not made until high tide to allow the fish to come up in search of food on the incoming tide. The dam is then made to intercept them on their return on the falling tide. The leaf fence is formed by tying the sheets to the stakes, there being perhaps three tiers of sheets to get a sufficient height.
A trap also termed 'enu is used in connection with the dam but it differs from the Savaii 'enu in being made of 'ie'ie (Freycinetia vine). It has a trap entrance, which prevents the fish from getting out and can thus be left in position without personal supervision.
page 434Openings called fa'atoto'a are left in the dam corresponding to the width of the trap. As many openings are made as there are traps available. If there is a good run of fish the traps may be visited by attendants who empty and reset them. Large traps made of tuafanga vine, may be left in position and the catch gathered after the tide has fallen. The dams are of two forms. Both types are used at the villages near Mulinuu in Upolu, where mangrove reaches abound.
| 1. | The long dam (puni loa) is used between the two points known as Lominga and Tiaseu-ngongoa. The puni loa is a large community undertaking shared by the neighboring villages, which all assist in erecting the dam. The side 'enu (Pl. XLIII, E) is used and the gathering is social as well as food collecting. |
| 2. | The short dam (puni mat a tongo) is a smaller family affair erected across smaller stretches of water as in the mangrove estuary at Vaiuso. As the dams stretch across between the mangroves (tongo) and the spaces between are likened to the meshes of a net (mata), the dam gets the name of puni mata tongo (to dam the spaces between the mangroves). |
A saying is used in connection with the two dams, which indicates united action: "Puni loa, puni mata tongo." (The long dam and the short dam.) It really means that the wide spaces and the narrow spaces must be thoroughly dealt with.