What is a khun, which was found in many rural Goan homes?

Fish and fishing are an inseparable part of Goan life. There is the Arabian Sea and the shore on the one hand and, on the other, the sweet and saline waters of the rivers; the khazans; the freshwater springs; and the mountain streams of the Sahyadris. Each one of these waters has one or the other fish species to offer and what tasty species these are indeed.

Rural life in Goa revolves around traditional ways and occupations. It is a hard life that involves hunting and gathering in the forests all day; slashing and burning hill slopes to grow enough grain; turning a fallow field into paddy; and turning the wheels of social life around family, neighbours, and community.

Every morsel of food you put on your plate is the result of this struggle to survive. The only thing that holds you in good stead is that you have nature on your side. You learnt to invent and innovate devices with what was available to you without any kind of help from any scientific invention. The devices then became an integral part of your lifeline. Just as grain is a staple in the Goan diet, so is fish. Every home in a village once...

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