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At dawn, when the sun had not yet risen, Mr. Quach Chi Huong, over 40 years old, in Hamlet 7 Nho, went to the field to push bamboo poles . He said that he accidentally went online and saw farmers in Dong Thap doing the job of pushing poles, so he learned and followed suit. The simple pole is made from a long bamboo trunk, connected to iron bars and placed horizontally on the boat. When pulling or pushing the pole, the fish that hit the iron bars will dive into the mud. People just need to grope right where the fish are to catch them, mainly catfish, perch, snakehead fish, loach...

The cone is made from a long bamboo trunk, connected to iron bars and placed horizontally on the boat. When the cone is pulled or pushed, the fish that hit the iron bars will sink into the mud, and people just need to grope to catch the fish.

Mr. Huong shared: “Pushing the clutch is very hard, sometimes wading all day in the field, the body is soaked in cold water and shivering, but I get used to it, and besides, this job has supported my family for generations, it would be a pity to quit. Thanks to the job of pushing the clutch, I earn 150-200 thousand VND every day, covering family expenses.”

The job of pushing the cone requires strength, flexibility and patience. The pusher must feel the water flow, observe the signs of fish breathing to put the cone in the right direction. Every time the fish dives, run back to catch the fish, the joy is indescribable.

The profession of pushing the cone requires strength, flexibility and patience. The pusher must feel the water flow, observe the signs of fish breathing to put the cone in the right direction.

When the season of pushing the cone comes, the people of Hamlet 7 Nho seem to enter a festival when people invite each other to go to the fields, the laughter mixed with the sound of water and the sound of fish splashing. Some days, the fish are good, the baskets are full, people bring them to the market to sell to earn extra income. On days when there is little fish, they still have a simple meal but full of love for the countryside.

Fish caught are mainly perch, snakehead fish, loach, catfish...

Mr. Huong excitedly said: “The fishing season is not only about fish, but also about the joy of family reunion. Some people push the fishing rods, others catch fish, and children run to watch, it’s so much fun. This job helps the village become more closely connected.”

Amidst the modern pace of life, the profession of pushing sticks still exists persistently in Hamlet 7 Nho, Khanh Binh Commune, not only as a means of livelihood, but also as a part of the memories and culture of community labor. Mr. Huong confided: "For many years, I have kept the profession of pushing sticks, because I want my children and grandchildren to know about the profession of their grandparents in the past, so that they do not forget their homeland."

Going to the field to push bamboo poles every season, Mr. Quach Chi Huong mainly catches big fish to sell for extra income, and releases small fish to breed for the next season.

The bamboo stick pushing season in Khanh Binh is the simple, rustic rhythm of life of the villagers. But it is from those simple bamboo sticks that many generations have grown up, many houses have been warm and prosperous, contributing to preserving the soul of the river countryside of Ca Mau .

Vu Linh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/day-con-mua-nuoc-tran-dong-a122245.html