Ang Badjao | who are they?

Badjao is commonly referred to as the "Sama" group that lives on land and Badjao refers to the inhabitants of the ocean.

According to the study there are different groups of Badjao depending on where they are located:

1. Ubian - is from the South Ubian Island to Tawi-Tawi.

2. Bannaran - from Bannaran island to Tawi-tawi too

3. Sama - also known as Badjao Kota Belud because they are located near Kota-Belud in Sabah.

These are just a few of the known Badjao groups. There are many smaller groups also located in Sabah, Malaysia.

According to Marlea P Nunez, Executive Director of the National Commission on Indigenous People it is still unclear where the Badjao originated. The Commission is currently conducting studies to ascertain their exact origin. Director Nunez said the culture of mjj Badjao is also mixed depending on where they live or socialize. Badjao people who are in Manila or older may notice that they are mixed with Tagalog culture. However, there are still cultural traditions that are as inherent to Badjao as their dances.

It is not certain how much the population of the Badjao in Manila is because there are no documents or studies on it; According to NCIP Executive Director Nunez. It can be said that the culture of the Badjao is at a crossroads. There are sectors that want to maintain the pure Badjao culture and there are also ready to accept changes and other cultures.

There are many aspects that affect the preservation of culture and one that is the Economic aspect.

Badjao is now widespread in the Philippines and even in Malaysia and the main reason for their departure from Mindanao is to escape the insurgency that is happening in that part of the Philippines.

Arriving here in the countryside, where they thought it would be better to live far in the middle of the war between the rebels and the soldiers, far from pirates who risked their lives they still did not live well. mga badjao. People often meet in the street and receive ridicule from people who do not understand their circumstances.

After all, begging is not the custom of the Badjao people, they just have to do it to survive, even though they are not accustomed to life out of the ocean trying to normalize their lives. Due to the lack of knowledge of living offshore begging has been their solution and has become the city's main living destination for daily living.

Although they are dangerous, they are the most common situation you will find in every Badjao here in Manila. Climbing in jeeps, grunting and hoping for the little coins they could reach. If they are not pitied, they are feared and threatened.

How long will the Badjao situation be like? When will their voices be heard to pay attention and be removed from the situation they are in? If they had been given the protection of the ocean they were living in, they would never have come here to lodge and yet face the harsh conditions of life.

Part II