67 •
Have there been any significant changes in the traditional beliefs about the functions and powers of the sea godsgoddesses?
• What factors may have accounted for these changes?
2.6 Data Analysis
• Recorded data was transcribed and added to or compared with those written on the
field to make meaning for conclusions to be drawn.
3.0 FINDINGS
The findings of this study are divided into three main parts to reflect the themes and sub- themes that informed the interviews. The themes include but are not limited to the
description and traditional beliefs about the sea, sea creatures and sea gods and their influences on fishing.
3.1 The Sea
3.1.1 Nature of the Sea Respondents were asked to describe the sea. The responses varied from one category of
respondents to another. For most fishermen at Busua, Aixm and Apewosika, the sea constitutes a ‘big’ or mass of water with fish. It is the sea god along the coast called Nana
Bosompo. For some opinion leaders, the sea is a big river where fishermen go for fishing. On the other hand, both traditional and Christian religious leaders were agreed in their
independent responses that the sea was the creation by God and is different from rivers. However, Christian religious leaders added that the sea was named by Adam and they also
referred to Genesis 1:1-3 as evidence of the sea having been created by God.
3.1.2 Sex of the Sea Most of the respondents over 90 believed that the sea was a male. This belief had been
handed down to them by oral tradition from their ancestors. According to the chief of Busua, their ancestors once went to sea on a Tuesday and the sea revealed itself physically to them in
the form of a male. According to him, it is because the sea is male that only males go to sea. A fisherman in Axim however, believes that the sea is a female. For him, it is females who
reproduce children and since the sea harbours children in the form of fish which it gives to fishermen and the public, it is a mother. On the part of both traditional and Christian
religious leaders, the sea is neuter, that is, it is neither male nor female.
3.2 Importance of the sea
All the respondents indicated the economic importance of the sea to them. They reported that the sea provided employment and therefore a source of income to them. This employment
included fishing, salt business and tourism. Some fishermen and traditional believers also believed that the sea offers spiritual protection to the people along the coast.
3.3 Preparation before Going to Sea
Respondents said anybody going to sea needed physical as well as spiritual preparations. The material preparation included securing a fishing boat, outboard motor, nets, lanterns, food and
a number of fishermen relative to the size of the boat. On the nature of spiritual preparation, respondents were divided. Whereas Christian fishermen said they seek prayers from their
church pastors, priests, and elders, traditional religious believers seek fortification in the form of amulets. All respondents however were of the view that these preparations were
68 exclusively for the protection of fishermen and had no influence on the amount and type of
fish caught.
3.4 Taboos of the Sea
