EMPIRES CHILDREN: THE PEOPLE OF TZINTZUNTZAN FOSTER 



105 



small canoe. The fisherman goes out in the 

 evening and extends his net in the open water, 

 so that both net and canoe drift with the wind 

 and currents. Then he sleeps until perhaps mid- 

 night, when he inspects the net and takes in fish 

 already caught. After this the fisherman can 

 sleep until dawn, when he again empties the net 

 and then returns to shore. White fish and aku- 

 mara are taken in this fashion. 



Fishing with the butterfly dip net is known 

 from description only. The net was submerged 

 perpendicularly with the point of the handle 

 stuck to the bottom, in which position it was 

 left for several minutes. Then, very slowly 

 so as not to disturb the fish, it was raised until 

 horizontal with the surface of the water, the 

 natural curve of die net causing the fish to 

 tumble toward the canoe from the two wings 

 extended on each side of the boat. Then the 

 fisherman moved a few meters away and re- 

 peated the process, until either he had a full 

 basket or his luck ran out. Five to 10 thirus 

 were considered an average catch. This net was 

 also used as a surface scoop, extended over the 

 forward starboard side of the canoe. The 

 canoe was slowly paddled ahead and at inter- 

 vals the catch brought in. A string tied to the 

 bottom of the net and extending to the handle 

 served to draw up the net and facilitate remov- 

 al of the catch. Today there is not a single 

 net of this type in the Tzintzuntzan area. The 

 few that remain are on the island of Janitzio, 

 which is the main point of interest for tourists. 



The hand-thrown atarraya, known in many 

 parts of Mexico, is not found on Lake Patz- 

 cuaro. 



Fishermen pay a federal license of $ 1.50 

 yearly for the right to fish. Theoretically this 

 entitles them to fish anywhere in the lake. In 

 practice, long usage has given title to the shal- 

 low waters to the fishermen of the nearby vil- 

 lages. Usually men from other parts of the 

 lake can obtain permission for the asking, 

 though there are villages which do not have 

 this mutual agreement. Fishermen from the 

 ranches near Tzintzuntzan cannot fish across 

 the lake in waters belonging to Santa Fe and 

 Chupicuaro, and the reverse also holds good. 

 On the other hand, fishermen from Janitzio 

 continually come to the waters of Ichupio to 

 fish, since their steep, rocky island has no good 



shallow waters. They are always welcome, 

 and sometimes join forces with local fisher- 

 men. There are recognized reciprocal rights 

 between the fishermen of the Tzintzuntzan area 

 and those of San Andres, San Jeronimo, and 

 Ucasanastacua. 



A fisherman is careful that no salt accidental- 

 ly falls on any of his equipment; it is believed 

 tliat should this happen he will henceforth 

 have no luck. "Scarecrows" are sometimes 

 placed in the shallow waters of the lake to 

 frighten away ducks which eat khuerepu. 

 These are of a standard form, consisting of a 

 crossed stick with shirt and old hat. The small 

 irakiia duck pays no attention, though the 

 otliers do, and if it is regarded as a menace 

 small boys with slings are sent to frighten it 

 away. Fishing is a seasonal occupation, and is 

 done principally from November to May, a 

 period corresponding to the height of the dry 

 season. Federal law prohibits the taking of 

 white f.sh from July 1 to August 15. and of 

 charal from February 1 to June 30. This law 

 has proved difficult to enforce, and in practice, 

 these fish are taken along with the others 

 which have no closed season, whenever the fish- 

 erman feels that it is worth his time to ply his 

 trade. Fish in small quantities are offered for 

 sale throughout the rainy season in the Patz- 

 cuaro market. 



Most fish are sold fresh, shortly after they 

 are taken from the lake. The khuerepu. how- 

 ever, is frequently dried on a reed mat placed 

 in the sun. Patzcuaro is the principal market, 

 though fishermen and their wives from Ichupio 

 and Ojo de Agua frequently travel to Quiroga 

 and Morelia, and to Erongaricuaro where con- 

 ditions are favorable for exchange for sierra 

 products. The dried khuerepu, naturally, are 

 better for the longer trips since they do not 

 easily spoil. Price is determined in a general 

 way by weight, though most fish are sold on 

 their own merits as unique specimens. Thus, 

 bass are commonly sold as a sarto, a pair con- 

 sisting of a large one and a medium-sized one. 

 Akiimara may be sold likewise, or single. Khue- 

 repu are sold by the handful on the local market 

 when fresh, and by quintos, 5 centavos' worth, 

 at more distant markets. Dried khuerepus are 

 usually sold by the kilo. One of the most in- 



