BRABANT FIGHTS AGAINST WATER
Reed cutter and low willed-ground workers
Because
reed loves water there is a lot of this in the Biesbosch.
Reed
can have stalks of 5 meter long !!!
From
time to time the reed was chopped off and stalk carpets were made out of it.
The
Biesbosch also has willow wood. This too used to be cut short every now and
then
and
was then used to make chairs, baskets and broom sticks.
The
men who did this work, worked 6 days a week and only by low water
because
by spring everything is flooded.
They
were paid by bunches reed en stayed overnight in a small hovel
where
they also had to cook and eat.
In
1970 the tide disappeared and so did the workers.
One of the ways to transport the reed
is the boat
Duck
catchers
From
1450 on duck catchers have been active in the Biesbosch.
They
would catch ducks for consumption using a special cage cold an eendekooi.
Duck
catchers also used tame ducks to lead the wild ducks to the entrance.
If
the wild duck is near the entrance the ducks will see a little dog called a kooi
kertje.
The
ducks get curious and follow the dog.
The
dog leads the ducks deeper and deeper into the cage.
If
the ducks reach the end of the cage, the duck catcher will close
the
cage so the ducks are caught.
Then
the ducks were killed and eaten.
The
cages are still used but now the ducks don't
get killed anymore.
The
ducks are captured for research on diseases and after that released.
Back to main menu Biesbosch