Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema by Aishath Naajila

Siliva Kanema · 2026

Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema

by Aishath Naajila

Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award 2026 in Kanema
CLIENT: Two Thousand Isles
Estimated Number of Design Views: 30,649
Verification code 413795872D · Verify this award

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release

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About Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema

Malembo a Buku: Kanema wotchedwa Maldivian Fishermen akuwonetsa njira yachikhalidwe yowedza nsomba za tuna ndi ndodo imodzi ndi mzere ku Maldives, njira yosunga chilengedwe yomwe nthawi zambiri imafotokozedwa ngati magazi a moyo wa dziko la zilumbazi. Kwa mibadwo yambiri, tuna wakhala chakudya chofunika kwambiri chomwe chimathandiza moyo wa tsiku ndi tsiku ku zilumba zonse. Pogwiritsa ntchito njira yofotokoza nkhani ndi zithunzi za kanema komanso mapangidwe a mawu okoka mtima, projekitiyi ikujambula asodzi aluso akugwira ntchito mogwirizana pa bwato lachikhalidwe la Dhoni, kubweretsa zochitikazi ku bwalo la padziko lonse.

About the Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award

Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka modabwitsa komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe a pamwamba, okongola ndi ochititsa chidwi. Opambana a Siliva ndi ntchito zowala kwambiri ndi zolenga kwambiri zomwe zimaonetsa ukatswiri, luso ndi nzeru zakuthwa za opanga awo. Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema akuyembekezeka kukhala ntchito yodabwitsa yoonetsedwa, yaukatswiri wapadera ndi yatsopano kwambiri. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award awa ndi chopangidwa chodziwika kwambiri ndi choyamikiridwa chomwe chimapindulitsa ndi kukulitsa malire a luso, sayansi, kapangidwe ndi ukadaulo. Maldivian Fishermen Ntchito Yaikulu: Kanema ndi cholengedwa chomwe anthu ambiri amachichitira nsanje, chomwe chimadzutsa zilakolako, kubweretsa maganizo abwino ndi kuyatsa kudabwa ndi chidwi.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: This is an independently produced documentary visual project capturing the traditional pole-and-line fishing practice in the Maldives. Created during COVID-19 while in isolation at sea, it combines cinematography, sound design, and immersive storytelling. Its strength lies in its authenticity, produced within real conditions of isolation, offering an intimate, unfiltered portrayal of Maldivian fishermen. The work stands out for its experiential approach, blending heritage, resilience, and cinematic realism.
Dimensions & Packaging: Shot aboard a 100-foot pole-and-line fishing dhoni, the project documents Maldivian fishermen working at sea with precise, coordinated movements resembling a disciplined system. Through aerial perspectives, it captures the ocean’s food chain in motion, sharks, skipjack tuna, and fishermen, framing these moments to reflect the deep connection between this traditional practice and the Maldives’ identity and way of life.
Tags: sustainable, fishing, pole and line, Maldives, tuna, ocean, documentry
Production Technology: Filmed on a Sony A7 III with 35mm, 85mm, and 70–200mm lenses, with aerials via DJI Phantom 4 and underwater footage on a GoPro during freediving, the project was produced independently,covering planning, real-time filming, editing, sound design, and colour grading. An unobtrusive approach allowed fishermen to work naturally, ensuring an authentic, unstaged portrayal without direction.
Design Challenge: The project faced logistical constraints, including limited equipment, a single drone battery requiring precise planning, and long waits for unpredictable moments at sea. The first four days saw no catch due to bait shortages, and underwater footage relied solely on a GoPro. Adapting strategically, key moments were captured to form an authentic narrative of the fishermen’s practice and the ocean’s food chain.
Research: Documentary visual research on sustainable pole-and-line fishing in the Maldives. Field-based observation and immersive filming were conducted over 8 days in March 2020 aboard a local fishing vessel during the COVID-19 period. Data was collected through photography, film, aerial, and underwater footage. Participants included local fishermen. The results highlight ecological balance, resilience, and coordination. The impact emphasizes cultural preservation and awareness of sustainable fishing practices.
Inspiration: Inspired by a lifelong curiosity about fishing in the Maldives, the project evolved through Two Thousand Isles, where travel deepened an interest in storytelling and lived experience. While learning freediving, the filmmaker joined an eight-day trip on a local boat, living at sea, waking before dawn and at midnight, eating the catch, and observing the ocean’s food chain in motion.
Project Duration: Filmed over eight days aboard a fishing vessel in March 2020, during the early stages of COVID-19, the project was later completed with full post-production, editing, sound design, and colour grading, independently carried out later that year.
Operation Flow: Operated on a traditional pole-and-line dhoni, the method relies on coordinated teamwork and timing rather than machinery. Fishermen attract skipjack tuna with live bait, triggering a feeding response where fish are hooked individually. Key moments, bait release, surface frenzy, precise catching, transform ocean activity into a sustainable harvest, reducing bycatch and ensuring quality, rooted in skill, patience, and harmony with marine life.
Patents: All the copyrights belong to Aishath Naajila, 2023.
Image Credits: Videography & Photography: Aishath Naajila