Thousands join the Memet Ikan tradition in Klaten

Thousands of people took part in the Memet Ikan tradition at the village pond in Gemblegan, Kalikotes Subdistrict, Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Sunday.

The event was held to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of Klaten Regency. From early morning, residents from various areas flocked to the venue carrying their own nets.

Children and grown men alike gathered together amid the excitement of the occasion. During the activity, participants freely caught fish using their own nets. The fish they caught came in various sizes, from small ones to those weighing more than one kilogram.

Supriyadi (42), a resident of Tambaksari Village, said he spent about an hour in the pond. Together with his friends, he managed to take home a good number of fish of various sizes.

“I caught some pomfret, not bad. Some were big too — I got about five,” he said.

He said he would use the fish for consumption with his family at home.

The event chairman, Niko Joko Pramono, said that four months ago, together with the local village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), they had cultivated around two tonnes of fish.

He said the fish released into the pond were of various kinds, such as pomfret, tilapia and catfish.

“Mostly pomfret,” he said.

He expressed hope that residents could enjoy the fish with their families.

“We hope the community can enjoy this, and we also want to entertain the public for free,” he said.

The organisers also hoped the event could help meet families’ nutritional needs and help prevent stunting.

“It can improve people’s nutrition,” he said.

Regarding the special meaning of the Memet Ikan tradition, he explained that the event had actually existed for many years, but was previously limited to an annual village-level activity.

“Memet ikan is essentially a ‘Lebaran for fish’ — the aim is to entertain the community. Eventually the event grew bigger and became a regency-level occasion,” he said.

He said the activity was held to mark the founding anniversary of Klaten Regency.

Klaten Regent Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo also attended the event.

He said the agenda was part of the series of events commemorating the founding of Klaten Regency.

“Alhamdulillah, this year we were able to distribute two tonnes of fish for residents to compete for. Besides the fish, there were also mascots and a door prize draw for residents. Just a short while in and someone already won — one got a refrigerator, another an iron. It was extraordinary,” he said.

He said the event was also a form of gratitude for Klaten Regency’s 222nd anniversary.

“We express our gratitude by distributing fish. It is also part of implementing the Gemar Makan Ikan (Love Eating Fish) programme,” he said.

He expressed hope that fish consumption would improve residents’ intelligence.

“We hope this fish festival cultivates the habit of sharing our blessings. It also brings residents together and promotes the culture of eating fish. We hope a festival like this can increase fish consumption figures in Klaten Regency,” he said.