The Andamanese tribe, one of the earliest known inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, have long maintained their survival by invoking ageless methods of fishing and hunting. Among their many specialized tools is some-what long and slender fish-weapon made of bamboo, one primarily used as a piece of fishing tackle to spear turtles-such an important element of their coastal subsistence practices. A long kind of arrow or spear, made from light yet strong bamboo, this weapon acts as the shaft. A long slim shape helps it to slip through water very well, thus allowing for the easy targeting of fast-moving marine animals like turtles. The bamboo shaft is usually fitted with an iron or hardwood tip, which is carefully attached to the bamboo body with natural fibers or cotton thread that is elastic and yet offers strength and precision.
Gaining a kill on turtle targets requires much skill, patience, and timing. Andamanese hunters journey mostly in dugout canoes, applying stealth to bear their bamboo spear upon turtles swimming near the opaque surface waters or resting in shallow coastal areas. The buoyancy and flexibility of the bamboo make it excellently suited for this, allowing for a quick and sure strike with minimum splash. This bamboo fishing tackle has been in use for generations and represents more than an implement; it is a statement about the Andamanese tribe's profound wisdom of the sea, ingenuity, and sustainable marine hunting stewardship. It binds together their cultural identity and ancestral knowledge.