Pangatas is a traditional fishing practice observed annually on Good Friday in Tobias Fornier, Antique. A day before the event, participants prepare the river by placing bamboo and coconut leaves to mark the designated fishing area. Come Good Friday, the river is then dried using a pump, and fish, crabs, shrimps, and other crustaceans are caught while smaller species are released to sustain future harvests. The practice is closely tied to religious observance, as the participants would perform a sign of the cross before catching, and this practice aligns with the Good Friday tradition of abstaining from meat. Elders pass down the techniques to younger generations, ensuring the continuity of this cultural heritage. However, pangatas faces challenges, including declining fish populations and concerns over its environmental impact on the river’s ecosystem.
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Photo Credit/s:
Vince Villodres, 2024
Mappers:
Vince Virgilio Jr. S. Villodres, Nonie Maravillas ,
Tags:
abstaining from meat on Good Friday, bamboo and coconut leaf markers, community-based fishing, crabs and shrimps fishing, cultural heritage fishing, environmental concerns in fishing, environmental sustainability in fishing, Filipino crustacean fishing, Filipino Easter traditions, Filipino fishing rituals, Filipino folk practices, fish conservation practices, fishing for sustenance, fishing technique passed down generations, Good Friday fishing practice, local fishing traditions, Pangatas, religious fishing practices, religious observance in fishing, , river ecosystem impact, sign of the cross in fishing, sustainable fishing practices, Tobias Fornier Antique, traditional Filipino fishing, traditional Filipino fishing methods
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