Viewing page 4 of 15

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Transcription: [00:07:15]
The island of Janitzio is the largest, and most important lake island, and is the home of the butterfly fishermen.

[00:07:21]
They're not catching butterflies though, but are so named because of the butterfly-shape of their nets. These unusual nets can be found only here, and the men skillfully manipulate them as if they were performing some graceful ballet.

[00:07:36]
Early every morning, the men can be seen fishing in this artistic manner. However it's not an art-form for them, but their only form of making a living.

[00:07:48]
This day they weren't too successful, and caught none of the small, white fish indigenous to Lake Pátzcuaro. In general they do better though, and earn about a dollar and half to two dollars a day throughout the year.

[00:08:01]
By mid-morning they finish and head back to shore. The women come down to help beach the boats and also to unload the catch.

[00:08:12]
Although, this day it was only water to unload. Their primitive form of fishing has been going on for centuries, and probably will continue for many more.

[00:08:24]
The island of Janitzio consists of one large hill, with houses that crowd and cling to its sides right up to the top--

[00:08:33]
-that's crowned by a massive 135 foot statue of one of the nation's heroes, Morelos.

[00:08:42]
One of the fishermen, Ligio Campo trudges up the steep hill en route to his house.

[00:08:48]
Waving upon his arrival, he cheerfully tells his wife he didn't catch any fish today. Well now this bit of news didn't seem to cheer her a bit, as she busily continues making a new net for him.

[00:09:03]
Ligio lives on the island with his wife, two daughters - Angela and Maria - and a small grandson also named Ligio.

[00:09:15]
For generations their families have lived on the island - an island that because of it's remote lake location and pure-blood Tarascan Indins has changed little over the centuries.

[00:09:25]
In fact, few of the inhabitants here even speak Spanish. Still maintaining their ancient Tarascan language.