Cham Muslim Fishers Preserve History, Tradition Along Cambodia’s Tonle Sap River

PHNOM PENH, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- In the heart of the nation’s capital, the serene waters of the Tonle Sap River conceal secrets belonging to the minority ethnic Cham Muslim community in Cambodia.

There is a group within this community that has been a mainstay of Tonle Sap for generations – the Cham fishers.

These low-profile traditional fishermen are crucial to Cambodia’s fishing sector, driving fisheries production along the 120-kilometre, marine resources-rich Tonle Sap River.

“I have been a fisherman all my life and we live along the Tonle Sap River. Cham fishermen have been here for generations and have been supplying fish and other seafood to the main markets in Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas,” Chonkah village chief Eii Yu told Bernama from his wooden surau perched on the banks of the river. 

The village, located in Chroy Changvar district in Phnom Penh in the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, is home to about 150 Cham fishers. 

The fishers live on rickety boats with their families and traverse the Tonle Sap River, which flows from the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia’s northwest and links the mighty Mekong River. 

According to government data, annual Cambodia’s fisheries production is about 400,000 metric tonnes. At least half of the supply comes from the Tonle Sap River. 

The Cham community has a unique history. According to historical records, about 500 years ago, their ancestors migrated over several centuries from the ancient Champa Kingdom, now part of modern Vietnam.

Along with their ancient culture, traditions, and religion, some of them preserved their skills in the marine industry.

“Fishing has been one of their occupations because they live along the coastlines. Where there is a river, there is water, you can find a Cham fisherman. River is their source of life,” Phnom Penh-based Documentation Centre of Cambodia’s Deputy Director Farina So told Bernama.

“Despite the country’s development, they preserve their traditional survival strategy. There are also a lot of women fishers and they are skilful. 

“It is just not about traditional occupation, fishing keeps them happy and gives them the independence,” said Farina.

Their limited resources notwithstanding, Cham fishers continue to compete with their well-equipped and commercial-scale Khmer and Vietnamese counterparts who dominate the industry.  

“The Cham people have the skills and Muslim fishermen from different provinces sail along the Tonle Sap River during the fishing season to fish in this river. 

“But the catch is dwindling now, even the fish fry quantity is getting less due to overfishing and illegal fishing.

“Each fisherman harvests only about 10 kilograms a day, unlike before when the catch could be triple,” lamented 65-year-old Eii Yu.

About 800,000 Muslims, many of whom are Cham descendants, contribute to shaping modern Cambodia which has a mostly Buddhists 17-million population. Many currently hold senior government positions. Some have become entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and academics. 

Eii Yu’s villagers have witnessed Phnom Penh’s rising prosperity from their boats berthed along the soggy riverbanks that often flood during high tide. 

As nightfall descends over the capital’s skyline, the Tonle Sap River unfurls another tale of the Cham fishermen – their daily struggles with dismal haul, poor income, and an uncertain future. 

-- BERNAMA