Sea Gypsies

May 25th, 2008 → 4:29 pm @ Ambo

8


These kids caught my attention on our way to Scuba Diving adventure in Samal Island, Davao City. One of the locals informed me that they belong to the Badjao community.



The Badjaos are found in many coastal settlements dotting the Sulu archipelago, particularly in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Sitangkai. Others are scattered in Davao, Surigao, Zamboanga, Basilan, Bohol, Cebu and Manila in search of livelihood.

The Badjao are popularly known as Sea Gypsies of the Sulu and Celebes Sea. The name Badjao is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes “man of the seas” or Orang-Laut in Bahasa Malayo. Their Sama and Tausug neighbors call them by pejorative names such as Samal Palau (outcast Samal). The badjao call themselves as Samal Laus (Sea Sama). Many badjaos live most of their lives in houseboats, which occasionally cluster in moorings near certain strands and beaches, so as to do business in nearby market places of the land-dwelling Sama and Tausug.


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