Fish Feed Area ('jɛgɛ dumuni yɔrɔ')

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had been working specifically with Sorti, the 'jɛgɛ mara yɔrɔ ton sigi ɲɛmɔgɔ' (fish pond committee president) and effectively the acting 'dugutigi' (chief-of-village), to schedule and plan the construction of a fish feed area ('jɛgɛ dumuni yɔrɔ'). This feed area should provide fish a source of nourishment, which was not available this past year, hopefully leading to an increase in both the size and the population of the fish. He selected July 1st to begin this work, but instead the villagers opted to construct an earthen berm in an attempt to thwart fish from escaping.

I continued to express to Sorti the importance of constructing the feed area now, before the water level in the pond rises drastically, greatly complicating the work. So this past Thursday, July 14th, was chosen to construct the feed area. Each of the village's four 'kinw' (neighborhoods) was to contribute three men each to the project, but unfortunately large rains arrived the night before, and nearly everyone left for the fields. To Sorti's credit, he stuck by his word and gathered who he could to help in the effort. Below is how the work was performed, in pictures:

Lassana and Sorti laying the tree branch poles to form the perimeter of the fish feed area within the fish pond. The villagers will have to monitor the water level of the pond and increase the footprint and depth of the feed area as the water level increases and creeps up the banks.

Sorti and Kasimu cutting open rice sacks (back) while Bokari and Lassana tie them together.

Sorti, Daouda, Lassana, and Bokari stringing the rice sack lining along the outside of the poles. This lining prevents the debris within the fish feed area from floating away and dirtying the rest of the pond.

Sorti, Daouda, and Lassana shore up the poles while Kasimu begins throwing 'bin' (straw) into the feed area.

Lassana and Daouda affix the lining to the poles by using discarded fabric, cut into strips, as string to tie them together.

Sorti carrying 'misiw bow' (cow manure) to add to the fish feed area.

Sorti tossing the 'misiw bow' into the fish feed area.

The finished fish feed area. The Ministry of Fish, Engineers without Borders, and the other experts we had consulted recommended that we place a mixture of 'malo bu' (rice husks), 'dumuni tɔ' (leftover food scraps), and 'bo' (rotted manure) to the feed area. This compost mixture then would harbor worms, which the fish will then eat. Unfortunately, food is scarce in the village at the moment, and rice husks are not available until harvest. So in the meantime, our feed area consists of 'binw' (straw), 'furaw' (tree branches/leaves), and 'bo' (manure).