tidal edge

Standing on Janatha Jetty as the tide recedes reveals textures and residues of life and the conditions of the water edge in the small scale fishing settlement in Kumbalangi. Attempting to get away from the muck and swamp-like conditions created by waterlogged compounds leads one to drift a bit inland. Following a man on a bicycle carrying a basket of fresh prawns leads one on a small chase up north. Trying to keep up with the man and simultaneously trying to follow the mangroves at the edge leads one to the realisation that the tide directly or indirectly affects major aspects of this settlement of fisherfolk. Meandering into open courtyards, one realises that the fisherfolk use the tides to their benefit by creating embankments and trapping water in their space and using it to grow krill- the food and bait for the prawn they catch. Attempting to trace this edge condition even further leads to the house of some fisherfolk. Here the compound is not only used to create embankments but to also mend, season and dry the Chinese fishing nets and also to season the boats used for smaller scale fishing.

Walking south from Janatha Jetty isn't linear as the water from the high tide creates small pools of marshy water, making it difficult to navigate. Instead, one moves along the inland road and into the settlement to witness household activities being carried out whilst the floor is overtaken by the intrusion of the tides. The water penetrates deep within the settlements as people use raised stone pathways to negotiate the conditions.