Trap

Item number 2704/12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Fish trap made of raffia. Outer pieces are tied around a circular frame in a cone shape and the top is secured. Smaller pieces are tied around inside of the bottom circular frame, creating an inner cone. The top of the inner cone is left open.

History Of Use

Trap (adjah) used to catch fish, crabs, and other crustaceans. They come in various sizes, and their hollow interiors are designed to allow fish to swim in but not out. Relatively small baskets, such as this trap, are usually made by women, and used in streams and creeks by both men and women. When fishing men and women work in groups, using large weirs to block coastal streams and creeks at high tide. When the tide begins to recede some people beat the water while others move the traps through the blocked waterway, catching fish. This style of fish trap is still used throughout most of West Africa, along with more common and efficient fishing nets.