Drawing in the ‘Maa Dala’ on a deserted beach
Net fishing off the coast is practiced along many of Sri Lanka’s beaches. The fishermen usually migrate around the island as the monsoons claim their coastline with the turning of each season. A fisherman usually goes out to sea early morning and casts a large net in a crescent shape, extending right from the beach. A few hours later, the activity begins when two groups of men start hauling in the net from either end of the crescent. Each team sings the characteristic fisher-folk chant of “Hodi helei helei yaa…” to maintain a steady rhythm as they heave and release with the ebb and flow of each wave. The faster the net is pulled ashore the larger the catch, and so all are most welcome to help. Feel free to seek permission from the fishermen and try your hand at pulling in the nets. Tradition is that every person who helped to pull in the net is given a small parcel of fish as a token of thanks. Bring your fish back to the hotel and ask the chef to prepare it for you.