Darnley Island

Turtle Hunting

An extract from the Keirari story as told by Kemuel Kiwat

At Keirari, on the island of Erub, (Darnley Island) lived a tribe of people. They all lived together in one big house. They had a good garden and lived off what they grew.

One day, during mating season, they saw a turtle floating just outside on the reef near their home. Some of the men put their canoe in the water and paddled out to catch it.

Every time they came close to the turtle it swam further out and so they had to follow. Damud was in the front of the canoe ready to jump over and catch the turtle.

Floating around the female turtle were many small alba (male turtles) and as Damud jumped for the female turtle the alba grabbed him and swam out to sea with him.

His friends in the canoe tried to catch up with him but the turtles swam too fast. They paddled a long way out but Damud was never seen again.

Mr Rocky Nai from Yorke Island recalls turtle hunting traditions.

The uncle on the maternal side would teach the young man turtle hunting skills. They would use Wap (wood of the spear), Kuiur (sharp tip or the barb of the spear) or Amu (rope). These were only touched by men.

Migi Koebul (short tailed male) can be caught but Gathaw Warn, old man reef turtle is not eaten at all. The Prapa turtle (green turtle) are for eating. Nice fat young female turtles with bright yellow throats and chests. During the turtle fest (mating seasons) turtles are at their fattest. Pregnant women are not allowed are not allowed to eat Hawksbill or the child will become darnsika, mischevious. Oonoewa (Hawksbill) can be poisonous if the gall bladder and intestines are consumed. The shell is used for masks, fish hooks, bracelets and body ornaments.

Memburu Penyu

Kutipan cerita Kerari Damud dari Pulau Erub, Darnley, diceritakan oleh Kemuel Kiwat.

Di Keirari, di Pulau Erub, ada suatu suku orang yang hidup rukun serumah besar. Tanahnya subur sehingga mereka bisa hidup dengan makan hasil kebunnya.

Pada suatu hari, selama musim kawin, mereka melihat seekor penyu mengapung di sebelah luar terumbu karang di depan rumahnya. Beberapa orang laki-laki melaut dalam perahunya, mendayung bermaksud menangkapnya.

Pada setiap sa’at mereka mendekati penyu itu, dia berenang ke arah laut lepas, sehingga mereka harus mengikutinya. Seorang bernama Damud berdiri di depan perahu, siap untuk meloncat ke atas punggung penyu itu dan menangkapnya.

Mengapung di sekitar penyu betina itu ada banyak alba (penyu jantan). Pada sa’at Damud meloncat mencoba menangkap penyu betina itu, semua alba itu merebut Damud dan menarik dia jauh ke lautan lepas. Teman2 Damud di dalam perahu berupaya mengejar dia, tetapi alba itu berenang berlaju-laju. Mereka mendayung jauh ke lautan, tetapi si Damud tidak terlihat lagi..

Bapak Rocky Nai dari Pulau Yorke menceritakan sejarah memburu penyu

Paman dari pihak ibu mengajari pemuda kepandaian memburu penyu. Mereka memakai Wap (semacam tombak kayu), Kulur (piarit) atau Amu (tali). Senjata2 ini tidak boleh dipegang oleh perempuan.

Migi Koebul (penyu jantan berekor pendek) bisa ditangkap tetapi Gathaw Warn (penyu karang jantan tua) tidak pernah dimakan.

Prapa (penyu hijau) enak dimakan, khususnya penyu betina muda dengan dada dan leher kuning. Mereka paling gemuk pada waktu musim kawin.

Wanita yang hamil tidak boleh makan penyu sisik kalau-kalau anaknya akan menjadi darnsika (nakal). Oonoewa (Penyu sisik) dapat berbisa kalau kantong empedu atau usus dimakan. Kulitnya dipakai untuk dibuat topeng, mata kail, gelang dan perhiasan.