Posts Tagged ‘Yatu Fence’

Local Culture – Yatu Fence

February 13, 2009

When I was building my house I needed a fence to keep my beloved dogs inside instead of hunting flamingos. A concrete block fence was going to cost about 30,000 ANG. A Cactus fence was quoted at about 5,000 ANG. I loved the look of the fence and also considered the natural protection this barrier created. I employed a local man who had a great reputation. Roger came and inspected my yard, measured it with his feet and told me during the next full moon he would cut my cactus. Locals use the moon for planting cycles. I had to hire a man with a jackhammer to dig 40 holes. My land is all Klip or coral so a shovel would not work. After he dug the holes Roger placed tree limbs for the frame. He then wrapped two rounds of wire around each creating a barrier. The next part was the tricky part made much easier but the use of two primitive yet useful tools, one to hold the cactus and other to clamp it in place as the cacti are woven inside the wire in a criss cross manner.

Yatu Fence

It was a labour intensive job but the end results revealed a compact neat fence. 4 years later the fence is still growing. The Trupial birds love to eat the nectar from the Yatu blossoms each morning. I love my fence.

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