Sama-Bajau

ocean · maritime · Southeast Asia · boat culture

Masters of the sea. The Sama-Bajau people live most of their lives on the water in Maritime Southeast Asia, using small wooden sailing boats called perahu, lepa, and vinta to travel and fish.

Many types of boats. They built different boats for different jobs, from tiny fishing vessels like biduk and bogo-katik to bigger boats like jungkung that could carry more people and supplies.

Seaborne lifestyle. Rather than living in villages on land like most people, the Sama-Bajau traditionally spent most of their time living and working right on their boats.

Horse culture too. Some Sama-Bajau groups in Sabah (part of Borneo) are also famous for their special relationship with horses and traditional horse-riding customs.