Pabuswang is a traditional fishing practice in Pandan, Antique, where hunters use traps made of bamboo and rubber, known as pasuk, to catch uson (mud lobsters, Thalassina anomala). This method is tied to specific tidal conditions of the river and reflects deep-rooted indigenous knowledge in the community. This practice is passed down through generations through firsthand observation or even through modern platforms like online tutorials. Beyond sustenance and livelihood, pabuswang is also intertwined with spiritual beliefs, with hunters often seeking protection from unseen forces believed to inhabit the swamps. However, urbanization and the loss of wetland habitats pose a challenge to the practice, threatening its continuity and cultural significance.
Photo Credit/s:
Maubol, Dezhel Jane S. (2024)
Mappers:
Edison N. Biadora, Jr., Research Assistant,,Dezhel Jane S. Maubol, Research Assistant
Tags:
ancestral knowledge transmission, bamboo fishing traps, community-based fishing, cultural preservation in fishing, environmental challenges in fishing, Filipino coastal traditions, Filipino folk fishing methods, Filipino river ecosystems, Filipino rural practices, fishing for livelihood, fishing traditions passed down generations, indigenous fishing knowledge, loss of wetland habitats, mud lobster hunting, online tutorials in traditional practices, Pabuswang, Pandan Antique fishing, pasuk traps, spiritual beliefs in fishing, sustainable fishing practices, swamp hunting practices, Thalassina anomala fishing, tidal-based fishing methods, traditional fishing practices, traditional swamp fishing methods, wetland habitat conservation
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