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Our News
The « Konko »: a loyal partner and a symbol of resilience of Vezo fishermen
In the Vezo fishing villages nestling along Madagascar coastline, a simple but vital tool stands out: the “Konko”.
The Konko takes the form of a mat or basket, and is characterized by its sturdiness and ability to carry a variety of seafood products. Whether carrying fish, octopus or fishing gear, this bag is essential for Vezo fishermen. Its ingenious design keeps seafood safe inside the pirogue, even in rough sea conditions.
Vezo fishermen, known for their skills at walk fishing and octopus fishing on the reef flats, rely heavily on the Konko. In the sea, this bag is often attached to the pirogue, ensuring that fishing gear and recently caught products remain on board in case of overturn. This is a crucial safety function, helping to minimize material losses during maritime incidents. When walk fishing, the Konko is just as essential. Attached to the fisherman’s waist, it keeps octopus and other caught products out of the water and away from corals. This not only ensures the quality of the products caught, by preventing them from being damaged by rocks and corals, but also makes it easier for the fishermen to move around, that are no longer cluttered by their catches.
Back on land, the Konko finds another valuable use. It becomes an ideal storage bag for fishing gear. Whether inside a fisherman’s home or outside, it keeps masks, nets and other tools, organized and within easy reach. Its ability to maintain order and protect equipment from damage reinforces its essential role in the daily life of fishermen.
Beyond its practical functions, the Konko symbolizes the resilience and ingenuity of Vezo fishermen. By reusing used materials to create a sustainable, multifunctional tool, they demonstrate a deep respect for resources and a remarkable ability to adapt to the challenges of life in the sea. The Konko is much more than just a bag for Vezo fishermen: it is a loyal partner, a guarantee of safety, and a symbol of their lifestyle. In every woven fiber of this basket lies a story of survival, adaptability and respect for the sea, which defines the unique Vezo culture.
In 2024, WWF supported local communities along the Mahafaly coast by providing them with ropes for making these essential bags. This initiative mobilized over 350 local communities from 4 villages (Ankarapona, Ampiambaza, Lovobato, Andomotse), and enabled the organization of training sessions, led by the best villager weavers. These workshops helped the knowledge and skills needed to make Konko, to be passed on to the new learners. This sharing of skills not only strengthened local expertise, but also fostered greater community cohesion around this traditional practice, thus contributing to the sustainability of this precious know-how.
Vezo fishermen, known for their skills at walk fishing and octopus fishing on the reef flats, rely heavily on the Konko. In the sea, this bag is often attached to the pirogue, ensuring that fishing gear and recently caught products remain on board in case of overturn. This is a crucial safety function, helping to minimize material losses during maritime incidents. When walk fishing, the Konko is just as essential. Attached to the fisherman’s waist, it keeps octopus and other caught products out of the water and away from corals. This not only ensures the quality of the products caught, by preventing them from being damaged by rocks and corals, but also makes it easier for the fishermen to move around, that are no longer cluttered by their catches.
Back on land, the Konko finds another valuable use. It becomes an ideal storage bag for fishing gear. Whether inside a fisherman’s home or outside, it keeps masks, nets and other tools, organized and within easy reach. Its ability to maintain order and protect equipment from damage reinforces its essential role in the daily life of fishermen.
Beyond its practical functions, the Konko symbolizes the resilience and ingenuity of Vezo fishermen. By reusing used materials to create a sustainable, multifunctional tool, they demonstrate a deep respect for resources and a remarkable ability to adapt to the challenges of life in the sea. The Konko is much more than just a bag for Vezo fishermen: it is a loyal partner, a guarantee of safety, and a symbol of their lifestyle. In every woven fiber of this basket lies a story of survival, adaptability and respect for the sea, which defines the unique Vezo culture.
In 2024, WWF supported local communities along the Mahafaly coast by providing them with ropes for making these essential bags. This initiative mobilized over 350 local communities from 4 villages (Ankarapona, Ampiambaza, Lovobato, Andomotse), and enabled the organization of training sessions, led by the best villager weavers. These workshops helped the knowledge and skills needed to make Konko, to be passed on to the new learners. This sharing of skills not only strengthened local expertise, but also fostered greater community cohesion around this traditional practice, thus contributing to the sustainability of this precious know-how.