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In Pictures: Indonesia’s nomadic sea gypsies

The Bajau are sons of the sea, but now their way of life is threatened because of overfishing.

A firewood collecting team returning home in a traditional Bajau sampan. Duties are split. One steers while the other bails the boat.
A firewood collecting team returning home in a traditional Bajau sampan. Duties are split. One steers while the other bails the boat.
By 
Brian Orland, 
Melati Kaye
10 Oct 2012

The Bajau Laut have lived on the sea for centuries, but now the culture of these nomadic ocean dwellers is threatened because of overfishing.

They live on boats or in stilt villages out at sea off the coast of southern Sulawesi Island. As a consequence of extensive fishing, the ocean can no longer support the Bajau’s unique aquatic way of life.

The “sea gypsies” are well known for being excellent free-drivers, going up to 20 metres deep and holding their breath for as long as five minutes. When they are young, boys have their eardrums pierced so they will not burst later from water pressure while diving.

The Bajau are Sunni Muslims, but many still believe in the spirit of the world sea.

With an estimated population of 800,000, the various Southeast Asian nomadic sea tribes range from the Philippines and Malaysia, through eastern Indonesia and all the way up of Myanmar.

In the Bajau community of Sampela, afterschool chores include helping brothers prep octopus for the wholesale market.
In the Bajau community of Sampela, afterschool chores include helping brothers prep octopus for the wholesale market.
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A lady Bajau fish broker from Sampela eyes the local market crowd for potential customers, interested in the reef fish she has to sell.
A lady Bajau fish broker from Sampela eyes the local market crowd for potential customers, interested in the reef fish she has to sell.
Octopus, caught with homemade iron and wood spearguns, serves as tuna bait for Bajau fishermen in Wakatobi.
Octopus, caught with homemade iron and wood spearguns, serves as tuna bait for Bajau fishermen in Wakatobi.
Fishermen raft up to share smokes before chasing a school of tuna.
Fishermen raft up to share smokes before chasing a school of tuna.
A Bajau fisherman sporting homemade goggles.
A Bajau fisherman sporting homemade goggles.
Ladies from Sampela pole their way home from a nearby island with the morning(***)s haul of firewood for cooking fires.
Ladies from Sampela pole their way home from a nearby island with the morning(***)s haul of firewood for cooking fires.
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Boats are parked in front of stilt houses, two to three deep, in front of the Wangi-Wangi island Bajau community of Mola.
Boats are parked in front of stilt houses, two to three deep, in front of the Wangi-Wangi island Bajau community of Mola.
Bajau sisters spend a weekend afternoon playing mancala in a stored boat under their family home.
Bajau sisters spend a weekend afternoon playing mancala in a stored boat under their family home.
Preteens at Sampela middle school strum a traditional Bajau tune.
Preteens at Sampela middle school strum a traditional Bajau tune.
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