Thousands Join Fish Hunt
Thousands of people plunged into a muddy village pond in Indonesia’s Central Java on Sunday, racing to catch two tonnes of fish released for the annual Memet Ikan Festival.
Footage shows crowds wading through the water in Gemblegan village, using hand nets or their bare hands. Participants can be seen chasing freshwater fish through the mud before holding their catches aloft for cheering spectators.
Festival Marks Local Anniversary
The mass fish-catching festival marked the 222nd anniversary of Klaten Regency and drew residents from across the area. Organisers said the event was designed to bring the community together while encouraging families to eat more fish.
“We organise this event to entertain the community and encourage people to eat more fish, helping improve nutrition for residents,” the organising committee chairman said.
Two Tonnes Of Fish Released
Around two tonnes of fish, including tilapia, catfish and pomfret, were released into the pond before the crowds charged in.”I’m very happy to catch a carp, especially one of the mascot fish,” said one participant displaying his catch.
“I’m really happy to catch a fish this big, weighing around one kilogram. We’ll simply fry it and enjoy it together with our family,” added another.
Participant Dies After Festival
Memet Ikan has grown from a small local gathering into one of the main events in Klaten’s anniversary celebrations, mixing a traditional communal harvest with food, prizes and family entertainment.
Local police later said a 45-year-old participant collapsed during the festival and died after being taken for medical treatment. Officers said there were no signs of violence and that the man did not drown.
Article by Viory.
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