The Karen people arrived in the Andaman Islands from Burma (now Myanmar) in 1925, initially as forest clearers brought by the British administration. Today, they primarily reside in the Mayabunder tehsil of North Andaman, mostly living in eight specific villages where they continue to preserve their distinct cultural identity and traditional practices.
Among these traditions, the “Zah”, a particular kind of fishing net, plays an important role in their subsistence fishing. The “Zah” is used mainly for catching shrimp in marshy areas near bays or sometimes along beaches. Designed as an A-frame structure, the net is placed in shallow water against the flow of the tide or creek current. As water flows through, shrimp is funnelled and trapped in the net’s fine mesh.
One of the main targets is the Acetes shrimp, known locally as bhusi jhinga, which aggregate in nearshore waters along India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands from early September to the end of December. The seasonal abundance of this small shrimp supports the Karen’s traditional shrimp harvest.
The harvested shrimp are then cleaned and often used to prepare “ngapi”, a fermented shrimp paste, which is a local delicacy and highly valued in the Karen community. This traditional food is a staple in daily meals and symbolises the community’s deep connection to the coast. Through the use of the “Zah”, the Karen people maintain time-honoured fishing knowledge and food-processing methods that have been passed down through generations, continuing to live in close harmony with the island’s coastal ecosystems.
Ⓒ Saw John
Ⓒ Saw John
