Darkness still covers the land while the fishermen of Diura Fishing Village in Mahatao, Batanes gather to commence this year’s fishing season for “dorado,” also known as “mahi-mahi.” The stars and the crescent moon witness their preparations as they urge their ancestors and the godly entities of the seas to give them abundant catch this season not unlike the previous year.
The “mataws,” what the Ivatan community callthe men who catch dorado, waited for this event to know what’s the plan of the vast deep blue ocean.
Will the seas of the eastern side of Batan Island grant them abundant catch? Or it will be like the last year’s fortunes where the mataws have an average catch of less than 100 dorado? The waves are crashing unto the rocky shores of Diura as the humble mataws proceed to the ritual place bringing with them not only their things and the sacrificial pig, but their high hopes and their respect to the seas that gave them livelihood and their identity.
Uncle Tiyung and Uncle E-ep accompany each other as the shaman (the one who will read the omen and predict the destiny of the fishermen for this season) and as the “manghawud” (the chosen one among the group that will bring a portion of the sacrificial pig into the fishing ground and will be the first to try catching dorado).
The Sun is already picking when they proceed to sacrifice the pig. Some of them are in charge of burning its fur while some of them, after the burning, clean the pig skin using their sharp bolos and knifes to remove the dark spots from the fire. Few of them have different task. They go round the shores and hand a shot of “palek” (locally fermented sugar cane wine) to the attendees of the rituals as sign of their unity.
After slaughtering the sacrificial pig, its liver and gallbladder was retrieved for the shaman to read. The organs were bathed with palek for him to have a clearer sight of the veins that will predict the fortune of the mataws this year.
After the shaman talks to his fellow mataws, a designated member drags a foot of the sacrificial pig to the shores and eventually, his companion, the manghawud washed with palek and the shaman starts to talk to the sea and ask for a plentiful catch.
It’s like a community begging the guards of the seas to guide the dorado to their hooks as a returned favor for their sacrifice.
The ritual has ended. The seas witnessed how these local fishermen hopes for an abundant fishing season.
Do the heavens hear their silent prayers? Will the guardians of the seas grant their petitions? All of these questions remain hanging and only destiny can answer them.
But the mataws, their families and the community will not hang on uncertainties and worries. They will face this new season with hope, passion, dedication, and commitment to continue their tradition and give their love ones a livelihood while respecting the culture and the nature. The day does not end with silence, but with laughter, bonding, stories, and with full tummies as they gather for communal breakfast and lunch celebrating the start of a new fishing season in Sitio Diura and a new opportunity to preserve their culture and fishing tradition.