LAMBAKLAD

Lambaklad fishing is a traditional fishing method practiced in Tibiao, Antique using bamboo rafts and nets to catch fish. The term comes from lambat (net) and baklad (corral), and this method is said to have been introduced by early Austronesian settlers. Passed down through generations, this technique involves setting up a bamboo and rattan fish trap along the migratory path, or known as the “tuna highway”, to catch various species. It is a cooperative effort among local fishermen, as the practice entails lowering the net into the water and hauling it up when full, making it an effective and environmentally friendly practice. The method also involves performance of rituals, such as after a case of small catch where fishermen would perform tuob, burning kamangyan (a hardened resin from the sahing tree), and would then smear the balsa (bamboo raft) with lemongrass to dispel any bad omen. Lambaklad fishing contributes greatly to the local economy, providing income for fishermen and attracting tourists to participate in the experience. The practice continues to be an important part of the community, sustained through non-formal education and cultural transmissions, despite challenges such as natural calamities.