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Gallery|Human Rights

The Badjao: Nomads of the sea

The traditional lifestyle of the nomadic Badjao people is under threat from modernisation and overfishing.

Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
A Badjao father and child leave their village for a morning fishing trip. The members of the nomadic tribe subsist on what they collect from the sea. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
By Guillem Valle
Published On 9 Dec 20159 Dec 2015
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Malaysia/Indonesia –   The Badjao are a sea-dwelling tribe, often known as the “Sea Nomads”, who have been floating off the shores of Southeast Asia for centuries. As a nomadic tribe living in stilt huts or boat houses on shallow waters, they make their living from traditional free-diving for fish and pearls. 

Over the years, more and more Badjao people have been lured away from the ocean, migrating to a life on land.

As they belong to no official state and possess no official nationality, they find the move from sea to land a challenge. Because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Badjao are at a disadvantage with no schooling, healthcare or access to government-provided social services.


 

Earthrise – Another Giant Leap

In the process of adapting to a land-based life, their unique skills in free-diving, along with their in-depth knowledge and understanding

of the ocean, becomes much less relevant. The younger generations have forgotten their ability to dive to the bottom of the reef and walk on the bottom of the ocean.

Many Badjao communities on land live in squalid settlements.

Some Badjao, however, have managed to maintain a sea-faring life and preserve their traditions in the solitude and liberty of living freely and independently on the sea, away from the rules and restrictions that bind those who live on land.

Follow Guillem Valle on Twitter:  @Guillem_Valle


ALSO READ: Thailand’s village of Samut Chin: Turning the tide


Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
Some Badjao families fish and live on their handmade houseboats. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
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DO not USE [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Because the Badjao are nomadic, most children do not receive a standard education. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
The Badjao live on floating villages built in the shallow waters off the coast. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
In a stilt house settlement, a young Badjao man takes a morning wash. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
DO NOT USE [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
The Badjao living at sea are a stateless people and have no nationality. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
Modern means of entertainment are starting to find their way into Badjao communities. Young Badjao enjoy a game of pool. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
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DO NOT USE! [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
The Badjao divers are taught how to dive from a young age and can manoeuvre at the bottom of the sea with ease. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
DO NOT USE ! [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Badjao divers at the coral reefs of Pulau Peleng, Indonesia. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
Larger fishing operations from the mainland and overfishing are threatening the livelihood of the Badjao tribes. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
Many Badjao fishermen free-dive less and have adopted some modern fishing techniques to catch more fish to sell to traders or land dwellers. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao, a sea-dwelling tribe
The floating villages typify the nomadic Badjao communities. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao, a sea-dwelling tribe
A Badjao man enjoys the afternoon on the front porch of his hut. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao, a sea-dwelling tribe
A group of typical Badjao huts sit on a tiny sandbank off the coast of Borneo, Malaysia. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/ Sea Badjao Synopsis
The younger generation of Badjao are choosing to settle on land more and more frequently, leaving behind an ageing community. [Guillem Valle/MEMO/Al Jazeera]


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