The Fisherwoman of Gabura
Gabura island, Bangladesh – On a hot, sticky morning in March, Mahfuza Begum steps onto the riverbank, her bare feet sinking into the cracked mud. She reaches for her slender black boat, her fingers quickly untangling the net. With the help of a few others, the boat is eventually pushed into the water. After some groaning effort, it glides free. Mahfuza, a seasoned fisherwoman, boards and takes hold of the oar, rowing steadily through the shimmering water.
As she rows past thick mangrove curtains, the warm wind brushes against her headscarf, which she adjusts expertly. She continues rowing, beads of sweat tracing her face. Soon, she stops in the middle of the river, standing up to cast her net with practiced ease. After a quiet wait, she pulls it back, revealing a successful catch of shrimp. Her face lights up with a broad, triumphant smile.
Daily Dangers: Tigers, Pirates, and Storms
Mahfuza’s life is one of constant survival. She navigates the waterways of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, where dangers lurk. Crocodiles swim just below the water’s surface, and tigers stalk the riverbanks. Mahfuza knows how to read the water for signs of these predators, as the animals become bolder with shrinking forests and encroaching human activity. “The animals are getting bolder,” she says, “We’ve taken over their land, so they’re taking back ours.”
One morning, she encountered a tiger while hauling in her net. It stood silently behind her. Despite her attempts to scare it off by banging a metal pot, the tiger remained undeterred before disappearing back into the forest. Mahfuza learned the hard way that tigers could strike at any moment, and there was little one could do if the predator attacked. She recalls the tragedy of losing her brother-in-law to a tiger attack years ago, but continues to fish without fear. “If it is my destiny, then a tiger will claim me too,” she says resolutely.
“Fish Don’t Wait for Ideal Conditions”
Mahfuza, now 52, has lived a life of struggle, but she has never let obstacles stop her. The heat of the sun, the dangers of the river, and the harsh conditions of her life in the Sundarbans are all part of the landscape she knows too well. “Fish don’t wait for ideal conditions,” she says matter-of-factly, shrugging off the discomfort of the heat. To her, survival comes first.
Her village is home to a few other fisherwomen, many of whom are older and work in the same dangerous waters. Despite their age, they continue to fish for a living, and Mahfuza has become one of the most respected among them. Her determination has earned her admiration from others, even though fishing is typically seen as a male-dominated profession in her village.
A Childhood of Hunger
Born in Ward No. 9 on Gabura island, Mahfuza’s early life was one of poverty. Her father was a day laborer who fished when he could afford a boat, but they lived in constant hardship. Mahfuza recalls begging from others when she was as young as six, and working as a maid for other villagers. Despite her difficult childhood, Mahfuza was fascinated by fishing and learned the trade at a young age, although her father never taught her—he didn’t believe women should fish.
When Mahfuza was eight, she met a man from another part of the village who taught her how to fish. It was a dangerous endeavor, but Mahfuza was determined to learn. She faced opposition from many men in her village, who believed that fishing was not for women. Undeterred, Mahfuza continued, earning the respect of her peers and making a living for her family.
Breaking Tradition: A Woman Among Fishermen
Mahfuza’s fishing skills grew quickly, and by the time she was 12, she was capable of rowing a boat, casting a net, and bringing fish to market. This marked a turning point in her life. “I did not have to beg anymore,” she says. “I could eat well and feed my parents.”
Now, as a 52-year-old woman, Mahfuza fishes to support herself and her grandson, Lavlu. Despite her success, her life has been marred by abandonment. Her husband left her and their three children 22 years ago, and her children, now adults, have moved on with their lives, leaving her to fend for herself. Mahfuza’s only family is Lavlu, whom she fears for, as he works at a young age in a local brick factory to help support them.
Survival Through the Seasons
Mahfuza’s daily routine begins early in the morning with prayer, followed by fishing before the sun rises. By sunset, she’s back home, often with just enough to feed herself and her grandson. She catches around five kilos of fish each month, keeping one for herself and selling the rest. The changing seasons determine what fish are available, and she has learned to adapt to the rhythms of the river. Despite the hardships, Mahfuza continues to survive through sheer resilience and determination, living a life shaped by the water and the forest around her.
In the face of loss, danger, and hardship, Mahfuza’s spirit remains unbroken. Her story is one of survival, sisterhood, and the unyielding strength of a woman determined to overcome every obstacle life throws her way.
Resource : aljazeera
