Fishing songs from Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania : a case study of intangible marine cultural heritage on the Swahili coast
Abstract
Historically, fishers (both men and women) have engaged in different activities ranging from preparing fishing equipment (traps, nets, fishing vessels), weather forecasting, and sailing to fishing grounds and they continue to do so today. While sailing, fishers paddle collaboratively when the wind is low and when the boat is leaking, some crew will bail the vessel. Once they arrive at the fishing grounds, fishers cast anchor, mend the fishnets, and fix the boat foresheets. If successful, the fishers collect their catch, weigh the anchor, return to shore, and prepare to sell their fish. These fishing activities have always been accompanied by maritime customs, traditions, rituals, stories, and gestures. For instance, singing is one key tradition that has continued to accompany the fishing process from the start to the end. This paper documents and present the songs that have always been part of the fishing process in Kilwa Kisiwani, along the southern coast of Tanzania. The fishing songs are presented in the context of intangible cultural heritage of the east African Swahili coast.
Citation
Lubao , C B & Ichumbaki , E 2023 , ' Fishing songs from Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania : a case study of intangible marine cultural heritage on the Swahili coast ' , Journal of Maritime Archaeology , vol. 18 , pp. 165-195 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-023-09356-5
Publication
Journal of Maritime Archaeology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1557-2285Type
Journal article
Description
Funding: This work was funded by the University of St. Andrews, University of Dar es Salaam, British Institute in Eastern Africa, as well as the Arts and Humanities Research Council GCRF [grant number AH/R005443/1].Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.