Achehnese Navigation and Fisheries formed a major component of the Acehnese economy and culture, treated extensively by C. Snouck Hurgronje in Chapter II (§§ 5–6, pp. 275–294) of The Achehnese.
The Pawang
The central figure of Acehnese sea-fishing was the pawang — the fishing master who possessed special unwritten knowledge of the sea, the fish, and the rules (pantang) governing fishing behaviour. The awa’ (crew members) obeyed the pawang not only because he was their hired commander but also because he alone possessed this special knowledge. The pawang and his crew were too busy with the management of their boat and nets to spare time to bring the fish to market themselves.
Pantang (Taboos) at Sea
Such unwritten pantangs had a very widespread range. In Acheh, those at sea must not call a mountain by its proper name (gunöng), lest waves as high as mountains should overwhelm their vessel; the euphemism employed was tanöh manyang (“high ground”). The elephant (gajah) was called by its nickname pö meurah. If a fisherman wished to say that something was “ready,” he must not use the ordinary word ‘lheuëh” because it also had the meaning of “free” or “loose,” and its use might give the imprisoned fish a chance of escaping; accordingly the less dangerous synonym leungka was employed.
These taboo rules resembled those found among fishermen on the North Coast of Java, in the Deccan, in Hadramaut, and throughout the Eastern Archipelago.
Connection to Ancient Galuh
In the neighbourhood of the ancient Galuh there were places where the Mohammedan confession of faith must not be uttered while fishing, for fear of disturbing the spirits of the ancient heathen kingdom — evidence of the layering of pre-Islamic and Islamic traditions in Acehnese maritime practice.
See Also
Source
The Achehnese, Vol. I, by Dr. C. Snouck Hurgronje, translated by A.W.S. O’Sullivan, indexed by R.J. Wilkinson. Leyden: E.J. Brill, 1906. Chapter II, §§ 5–6, pp. 275–294.