Buildin' Boats, Giggin' and Foolin' Around is All Fun: Traditional Material Culture of the Ozark Waterways

Abstract

Gigging - the practice of using a steel object in the shape of a large fork to impale fish - has long been a popular traditional activity in the Missouri Ozarks. Many natives of the area consider gigging to be their sport, despite several attempts to have the practice banned. Paul Martin has made his living as a gigmaker, and he is profiled here. Many giggers also use johnboats - six foot long wooden boats. Johnboat builder Cecil Murray is profiled.