Tiopo (Bamboo Trap) Traditional Gorontalo fishing gear

 

T

he development of fishing technology, which is now increasingly rapid, makes it easier for fishermen to get fish. Starting from detecting the presence of fish to fishing gear, all of which use sophisticated technology. However, it is different with fishermen in Gorontalo. Precisely on the shore of Limboto Lake, Gorontalo Regency, which until now still uses manual tools and is still very traditional.

The fishing gear is called titiopo in the term of Gorontalo fisherman, which means fish trap. Uniquely, besides the tool is still traditional, the raw material for this tool is also easy to get. However, the use of this tool is not arbitrary, you must use a special spell. The raw material for the tool is only bars made of NIBONG wood or ombulo, which are knitted and at each end are sharpened below, these bars are woven and tied with rattan in such a way that they become a fish trap, which is still used by some Gorontalo fishermen. Even so, making this traditional fishing gear is not easy. Because it has to go through a long process. Starting from how to take raw materials to special rituals that must be carried out.

Like taking nibong. Nibong is taken in the morning at sunrise. When cutting the wood, a person must recite the Prophet's prayers while cutting the tree. It is not arbitrary to take this Nibong, because you have to read a prayer, at least recite the prophet's prayer at the beginning of cutting down the tree. Not only that, when after the wood is taken, the manufacturing process begins. The wood that is taken is then split into several small pieces which are then knitted together until smooth.

After the sharpening process is complete, then the weaving process begins. The wooden bars that have been knitted are then woven in such a way as to form the desired pattern until the titiopo is finished and ready for use. "It is fairly easy to manufacture. However, to use this tool you also have to go through a special ritual and the right time, because this tool is a trap for bottom fish or shallow waters, lakes, swamps, or rivers / streams.

The use of this fishing gear must be on a good day, this catcher does not use bait, but there is a spell that we use, this spell is a legacy of our ancestors until now we are still using it, now with this spell as a fishing rod is included in the titiopo. Then the titiopo is lifted and dipped in the water like a spear, if a fish is trapped inside, it will be felt on the upper handle with a diameter smaller than the bottom hole. Then the fish can be lifted without lifting the titiopo in question. Over time, the use of titiopo made from Nibong began to be abandoned. **