Are the stilt fishermen in Ahangama authentic or just posing
4 Answers from travellers
Today, it is almost entirely a tourist attraction. Commercial fishing has depleted the shallow reef fish, so the locals found a way to monetize their cultural heritage by posing for photographers along the surf spots.
If you want to take a photo, negotiate the price before you point your camera. They will demand money if you just start snapping from the beach.
It is a fascinating example of cultural adaptation. While the actual fishing method is dying out, the visual iconography is kept alive by the tips tourists provide.
I woke up at 5:30 AM to check the surf last week and actually saw two older men genuinely fishing on the stilts before the tourist buses arrived. So it still happens, just very early.
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