FOLKLORE in Fisheries:

Myths, legends, beliefs & practices

presented by
JOSE P. PERALTA, Ph. D.
UP Visayas

INSTITUTE OF
FISH PROCESSING
TECHNOLOGY
Sept 20, 2006, Updated Dec 3, 2013
FOLKLORE

Folklore are stories that relates to a

community and therefore shared. It is the
collective representation of a homogenous
social group;
It brings about cooperation, coordination and
“teamwork.”
About Legends
Legends are a way of understanding things greater than
ourselves;

Forces that shape our lives;

Events that defies explanation;

Individuals whose lives soared to the heavens, or fall to

the earth;

THIS IS HOW LEGENDS ARE BORN !

FOLKLORE in the Philippines

Vast waters are owned by “engkantos” whose

wishes are to be obeyed, and whose rules are to
be strictly followed;
Rituals e.g. use of “anting-anting”; “daga” is
often officiated by the “babaylan” (witch
doctor).
FOLKLORE …

The presence of mermaids and fairies as heralded

by sounds of neighing horses, crowing roosters,
chirping birds, croaking frogs, singing voices
and strumming of guitars; or beautiful beings
flying from nowhere.
Women with menstruation are not allowed to
board fishing boats as it is believed that they
will turn off the fish.
Bad luck for fishermen - e.g. dog urinating on or
near the fisherman’s boat or seeing a “pawikan”
FOLKLORE …

Good luck is believed - washing of nets and boats

with “tanglad” before using boat
Bad fish should not be eaten – this is because they
are bloody e.g. “tulingan”. “alloy”, “lobo-lobo”,
etc.
Good fish are those which are savory and rich in
nutrients (taste is equated with nutritional
value) e.g. “asuos”, “salmonete”, “tangigi”,
“lagaw”, etc.
Science explains …
Bad fish should not be eaten – this is because
they are bloody e.g. tulingan, alloy, yellowfin
tuna, etc.
All scombroid fish species have high levels of the
amino acid; histidine

Histidine Histamine
bacteria

Histamine is a toxin that causes food poisoning,

and may lead to death.
FOLKLORE …

“Awa” and “bulgan” are good for pregnant

women so that their children will become
healthy and sprightly.

“Asuos” is known to get rid of worms in children

TALES

“Salabays” or jellyfishes were punished and

beaten by the King of the Sea, until their bones
broken (because they did not obey).

The “lumba-lumba” was punished for being a

peeping Tom, thus its fins were twisted.
About ZOMBIES
Toxins from puffer fish
Puffer fish toxins
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

Salt making in Miagao use bamboo poles as

evaporation and crystallization chambers for
salt, instead of salt beds made of tiles (used in
many parts of the country; eg Leganes). Salt
produced in bamboo poles is relatively much
finer, whiter and tastes better.
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

Salt making in the Ilocos region use a different

method. Instead of solar evaporation, they use
earthen jars to boil and evaporate the un-wanted
water. The salt produced is also finer, and
whiter
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

Use of wooden chambers for fish smoking instead

of steel drums, is believed to produce smoked
fish that smell and taste better.
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

Use of clay/earthen jars to ferment small shrimps,

fish and other marine species, is believed to
produce better fermented products than other
containers; plastic, cemented containment, and
etc. The flavor produced is far more superior, if
the fish is fermented in earthen jars.
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
Ref.
Prof. Liah Catedrilla Notes

Ghost Rider, Movie, 2007

Columbia Pictures, USA
Thank You
for your attention