When one hears of the gypsies, one may first think of the gloomy, dark eyed hikers of mainland Europe with their exotic and colorful costumes. But have you heard of your navy colleagues, the sea gypsies to the east?
You can see them here in the Philippines, in the beautiful Zamboanga or further south between the sunny islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Here they are, Bajaus, one of the eighty-eight ethnic groups of this country. They are called romantic sea gypsies because of their nomadic and fluid way of life. The unique homes have housed boats and homes in a balanced style along beaches and coral reefs for centuries.
Sea gypsies are also found in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Burma, and these in the Philippines are also considered to be of Indo-Malay origin. Anthropologists believe their ancestors immigrated from the coastal plains of Borneo. A typical Bajau has a worn look. Long and constant exposure to the sun made the hair reddish brown. Her face is slender, with high cheekbones and a snub nose.
Fernando de Magalhães is said to have seen floating villages between Borneo and our islands in 1521 while seeking new routes to the Far East. But before that, Bajaus had gone from anchor to anchor and rowed on the beach to sell or barter fish and pearls and to meet his basic needs: cassava, rice, sugar cane, coconut or other. Exotic fruit. like durian, marang, rambutan. and the mangosteen. Some of them are only on the ground for a few hours; others for weeks or months, in which case a temporary community grows.
Bajau community
Built in shallow water, their stork legs are connected by weak and makeshift bridges, usually made of a single plank or bamboo without poles. Stairs are rare: a single log sloping towards the entrance to the common bridge or above the irrigated land is sufficient. Around and under these cabins are canoes known locally as lipalipas, as well as canoes, canoes, and other boats that inhabit them. Bajaus is a very united city. A cabin or a single boathouse can hold an entire clan, including parents, married children, and grandchildren.
Children, often naked, swim and run at low tide. The women wash their clothes and themselves, cook, or while waiting are in the middle of a lively and easy conversation. Others take care of children, repair fishing nets or weave rugs. Some hunt for clams, seaweed, sea urchins and other seafood. On the other hand, the men are busy building and repairing boats or preparing their fishing gear. Working in an animal shelter can take three months and may need to be replaced three years later. His tools are rudimentary: wood chisels, ax-shaped tools and others with primitive patterns. Sometimes the men can fish in groups. A dozen boats form a horizontal line, and when a school of fish is spotted, sounds are emitted to transport them to a rocky reef or other suitable location for an easy start. The catch usually includes sharks, rays, octopus and tuna.
In terms of temperament, the Bajaus are a peaceful people and prefer to be alone. At the first sign of disturbance or disturbance on the part of the rural population, they simply jumped into the sea. For them, the sea is a sanctuary, a friend. When they leave, the whole company disappears.
Children in the sea
Most Bajaus were born at home. "House" is a vessel that may have been made from a large piece of wood quarried in Borneo or harvested from the sea and patiently hand-carved, chiseled and then covered with palm leaves. The bamboo pillars are curved on the sides like sled rails to reduce the risk of tipping.
The stories tell of how Bajau children are thrown into the water at a young age. When they swim they are considered real children of the sea. Their ability to swim makes them one of the best pearl divers in the area. They can outperform other natives and stay underwater for minutes without the aid of scuba gear.
Experienced browser
For Bajaus, the waterways of the Sulu archipelago are as familiar as the palm lines. Distance and darkness are not an obstacle for these browsers. The position can be measured at any time. Compass or similar navigation tools are not used. Just follow the stars, dip your hand in the sea and taste the water. As Bene helps, it is explained that the salinity of water varies from place to place and knowing its taste can determine its place. By calculating the velocity of the current in the channel, they can determine the distance from the earth and estimate the time of arrival.
His remarkable knowledge of the sea is based on accumulated facts, familiarity with waves, winds and waves that are transmitted from generation to generation. When they know this, they must be aware of the storm that has been approaching for several days. Even when the sky is beautiful, the wind is calm and the water is cold, its electricity in the port is seen as a sign of protection of the inhabitants of the country as a sign of the weather.
Religious point of view
Bajaus are not "Christians" or Muslims and do not follow any particular religion or traditional cult. Some elders profess some knowledge of the Bible and part of the Qur'an and think both are good. The answers to questions about God, his purposes and others are different. Some islanders believe that the people of Baja California love the sea with all their heart and are therefore drawn to it irresistibly.
Uncertain future
Despite the development of the 20th century and increasing government attention, Bajaus is an endangered race. The harsh reality of ignorance, disease and malnutrition continues to plague these people with serious consequences. Even in Tawitawi and Si Tangkay, the last bastions of this unique and fluctuating lifestyle, this elusive ethnic culture is slowly disintegrating and the wall of resistance to the outside world has grown and preserved its customs and traditions for centuries. . Collapse. The younger generation Bajaus civilizes. Its marine world, beautiful sunsets, fleeing seabirds and the seemingly endless blue horizon may still linger, but the beauty of its simple, peaceful and unpretentious way of living at sea may soon disappear,forever.
Interesting article