The Bajo sea people have many names: Also known as Bajau Laut, Bajau, Sama-Bajau, or sea nomads, they can be found in various places around Southeast Asia. They inhabit the Coral Triangle, in an area between Malaysian Borneo, East Indonesia and the southern Philippines. They hold a cultural identity different from their mainland neighbours and speak their own language known as Bajo. The Bajo are descendants from ancient nomadic sea farers, who were living on house boats while covering long distances to fish and trade.

It is believed that even the last few sea roaming families have nowadays swapped their nomadic existence with life in coastal communities or villages built on stilts in water. Their traditions and work continue to tie them closely to the marine environment. The Bajo are highly dependent on resources from the sea to support their livelihoods. Bajo communities are small-scale fishing producers, using traditional fishing equipment and small vessels. The most widespread forms of fishing are net fishing, hook fishing, line fishing, marine foraging, and breath-hold diving using home-made spears.

Modern political and environmental pressures have brought change upon the Bajos’ traditional way of life.

East Indonesia. 2022.