Hunting and fishing

Number of Cases
330
People engaged in hunting in order to prevent beasts, birds, field and household pests from endangering or destroying livestock, crops, harvests and food supplies.
In the collection, various types of objects testify to that: metal snares -, scarecrows, rattles, bird cages, as well as various types of mousetraps, in the form of cages, wire guillotines, deadfalls and others. Falconry, as a special type of hunting, is documented in the collection with bells, and hunting of wild animals and big game with firearms and accompanying equipment.

The basins of the Danube and the Sava, two large Balkan rivers, along with many smaller rivers, streams and lakes, have influenced the population of many areas in Serbia to engage in fishing. The legacy of fishing from prehistoric times to the present has left behind many fishing tools, ranging from barbs and tridents, hooks and multiple hooks, longlines, traps made from reed and wire, as well as nets and net devices.

Traditional fishing is inseparable from watercraft, so the collection is enriched by ark - vessels for transporting live fish, boats, as well as aids and tools for processing and preparing fish.

The collection consists of about 330 items.

The curator in charge of the collection is Dr. Marko Stojanović, museum advisor: marko.stojanovic@etnografskimuzej.rs
Back to the List

Boat model

Inv. No. 19942
The exhibited item arrived at the museum as a gift from the renowned mathematician and academician Mihailo Petrović (1868–1943), a master fisherman, which earned him the nickname Mika Alas.

Belgrade
19th century

Spe, skortaš – hunting trap

Inv. No. 13848
A basket for storing caught fish. In areas with smaller and faster streams or river rapids, baskets (known as lese) woven from wicker, with sides made of tree bark, were used for catching small fish and fry.

Jabukova, Negotin Krajina, eastern Serbia
20th century

Vrška – basket fish trap

Inv. No. 50241
Part of the equipment used for keeping fish during fishing. Made of wicker, conical in shape.

Milutinovac, Kladovo, eastern Serbia
20th century

Vrška – basket fish trap

Inv. No. 11716
Fishing gear made of wicker and rope. It is thrown into the sea at depths of up to 4 meters near a rocky shore. Before being cast, it is decorated with branches to serve as camouflage.

Bijela, Herceg Novi, Montenegrin coast, Montenegro
20th century

Mousetrap

Inv. No. 51428
Made of wood, rectangular in shape. On the front side of the object are two circular openings used for catching mice.

Klenje, Mačva, western Serbia
20th century

Game trap

Inv. No. 45758
Made of iron. "Jaws" of semicircular shape are attached to a flat ring. It was used for hunting small game, most commonly foxes.

Oreovica, Pirot, southern Serbia
20th century

Float

Inv. No. 45747
The float is made of glass. It was used at the ends of fishing nets as a marker. It has been in use since the early 20th century along the Adriatic coast and on the Danube.

Unknown location, Serbia
20th century, first half

Lukot - fishing hoop

Inv. No. 11450
Used when a catfish (a type of large river fish) is caught with a bućkalo (a traditional fishing tool), to prevent it from breaking free. It was also previously used for hauling in sturgeon (another type of river fish). It is still in use today.

Slavonia, Croatia
20th century

Oar holders

Inv. No. 34436
Made of iron in one piece. Fork-shaped, with arms bent at the top to form a circle. On the lower part, there is a vertical rod that fits into the upper edge of the boat's side and serves to secure the oars.

Baranda, Opovo, Banat, Serbia
20th century

Spe – hunting trap

Inv. No. 11492
Made in the shape of a boat from linden bark and willow wicker. The bottom is made of loosely woven wicker, and the sides are made of linden bark. Fastened with vine and then secured with rope.

Donji Milanovac, Serbia
Second half of the 19th century
Go to top