Salakab

salakab
Salakab | @museomuntinlupa

Salakab

Salakab is a basket-shaped fish trap made up of bamboo sticks fastened by rattan ropes.

According to the book titled “An Evaluation of the Fishery Resources of Laguna de Bay” written by Medina N. Delmendo, a census made on the fishing activity in Laguna de Bay revealed that there were about 13,000 full-time fishermen that fish in the lake in 1963-1964. Because of that, the mechanization of fishing gear became prevalent.

An example of a traditional fishing instrument is a Salakab. It is used to catch fish in Laguna de Bay a long time ago. It is a basket-shaped fish trap made up of bamboo sticks fastened by rattan ropes. The wide ends of this instrument are buried in the shallow parts of the water to trap the fish while the hole on the top is where the fisherman inserts his hand to get it.

As fishing is one of the major parts of Muntinlupa’s common source of livelihood, Museo ng Muntinlupa’s building was inspired by the Salakab; designed by Arch. Beaudon Causapin, City Architect of Muntinlupa to showcase the rich culture and local history of Muntinlupeños.

Text by Denise Cerdeña.
Image by Xena Cabahug.

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