Name: Baira, Alliah Mari P. Instructor: Dr. Annierah M.

Usop
Section: BSA-2A Date: September 23, 2019
Code No.: GE 711 Score:
Descriptive title: Cultures in Mindanao

Badjao
Badjao
Widely known as the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes Seas, the Badjao are scattered along
the coastal areas of Tawi Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, and some coastal municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur in
the ARMM. Amongst themselves, they're known as Sama Laus (Sea Sama) and are found living on
houseboats where they make their livelihood solely on the sea as expert fishermen, deep sea divers, and
navigators

Religious beliefs
Unique to their cultural rituals is the concept of life and their relationship to the sea: For example,
as a childbirth ritual, a newly born infant is thrown into the sea and members of the clan dive to save the
newborn. Other traditions such as marriages are prearranged by the parents for their sons and daughters;
the process similar to other ethnic groups, in that, a dowry is often presented to the parents of the woman
a man wishes to marry. Their leader is chosen based on individual inherent virtues, wisdom, and
“charisma” an innate ability to attract followers.
Family and Houses
While the public image of Architecture is often fixated on the individual, the Badjao consider
design to be a communal practice. Houses for the Badjao (for those who do not live on their boats) are
built almost entirely out of driftwood and debris from coastal cities. Their homes are built on stilts that
are carefully placed in between coastal rocks and coral.
Marriage
 Kin are favored as marriage partners. Exceptions are the children of brothers and those nursed by
the same mother or nursemaid.
 Marriage is either parentally arranged or initiated by elopement or abduction.
 Arranged marriages are the ideal, but elopement is frequent.
 After a proposal is accepted, the bride's father designates one of his kinsmen to act as his
daughter's guardian (wakil).
 The man chosen formally receives bride-wealth from the groom's family and represents the
woman's side during the wedding ceremony.
 The religious component of the rite is conducted by an imam. Weddings usually take place in the
guardian's house, to which the couple is conducted in separate ceremonial processions, often
with music and dancing.
 New houses are generally built close to the natal household of the bride.
 Polygyny is permitted but infrequent.
Livelihood
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. 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.
Customs and Traditions
Amongst themselves, they’re known as Sama Laus (Sea Sama) and are found living on
houseboats where they make their livelihood solely on the sea as expert fishermen, deep-sea divers, and
navigators.
The tribe has a very rich culture. They are known for their non-confrontational nature and values
of respect. They are governed by a Chieftan and a group of elders.
Ethnic Groups
The Sama-Bajau refers to several Austronesian ethnic groups of Maritime Southeast Asia with
their origins from the southern Philippines. They usually live a seaborne lifestyle, and use small wooden
sailing vessels such as the perahu (layag in Meranau).
Place and Location
The Badjaos, the sea people of Mindanao in southern Philippines. Badjao or Bajau means man of
the seas, this tribal group is known as the Sea Gypsies because they move with the wind and the tide on
their small houseboats called vintas, they can be found in many coastal settlements and inhabit the waters
and shores of the Sulu archipelago.
Population
Tribes are scattered all-over South-East Asia. The largest people group are the Badjao people with
an estimated population of 400,000. They are an indigenous ethnic group of The Philippines which has
been there since at least 500AD
Cuisine and foods
 Jā- A rice cookie made of strands of thin batter cooked in oil to form a kind of mesh, and rolled
up while still hot.
 Panyām- A heavy pancake made of rice flour and sugar, fried in deep oil.
 Oko’-oko’- A sea urchin cooked with rice inside it.
 Pali’ kambing- A banana batter, fried.
 Panggi’-panggi’- Another fried batter.
 Juwalan- Bananas glazed with sugar.
 Kukus
Mode of Dressing
Focusing on their mode of dressing the traditional attire of a Badjao is the “patadjong.” It has many
uses. They are made large enough to fit any person and are used by both men and women as a skirt or
gown tucked at the chest level. It can serve as head cover, waistband, sash, blanket, hammock, shoulder
bag, cradle, pouch, hood, or pillow.
The women’s “sablay” is a loosed sleeved blouse reaching down to the hips. A “simpay” (band)
forms the front opening and extends to the back from a small collar. A woman’s typical accessories are
jewelry and colored combs. The bracelet is the most popular ornament. Other pieces of jewelry are the
pendant, earring, ring, necklace, and anklet

Dances and Instruments

‘Igal or Pangalay or Janggay’ is the dance they’d adopted from the Samal group of Sulu. This
dance was usually and commonly performed by female Badjao. The dancers should bunned their hair.
And to add twist to the traditional Pangalay they use ‘janggay’ and wear to their hands to enhance and
magnify the dancers’ hands while dancing this traditional dance of them. ‘Janggay’ is a metal fingernails
or claws; this was used as an extension of their fingernails to give emphasis to the movement of the hands
of the dancers. This was accompanied by drums or gabbang played by male Badjao.
This traditional dance of them shows their confidence that even the indigenous group of people
can be known for their talents and competitiveness.

Dialect
Sinama is the language of Badjao that is being used on their way of communication. The Sinama
has a seven classifications based on their mutual intelligibility. These classifications are rarely recognized
by Sama themselves who instead classify their Sinama by the village or island it originates from.
Superstitious beliefs
Badjao or Sea Gypsies have strange beliefs. Believes indigenous Badjao recognition of their
master and having wisdom is the most beautiful way to having a good life. They also believe that where
the spirits of the dead are kept in a grave and every period of Shaaban, the soul is allowed their master to
come back to our world. They also believe that the dead can communicate with the living through the
ritual ceremonies of celebration, worship, and exorcism.
Songs
Sama-Bajau traditional songs are handed down orally through generations. The songs are usually
sung during marriage celebrations (kanduli pagkawin), accompanied by dance (pang-igal) and musical
instruments like pulau (flute), gabbang (xylophone), tagunggo' (kulintang gongs), biula (violin), and in
modern times, electronic keyboards.
There are several types of Sama-Bajau traditional songs, they include: isun-
isun, runsai, najat, syair, nasid, bua-bua anak, and tinggayun.
Lifestyle
They come to shore to barter their harvests for farmed produce such as fruits and cassava, as well
as, replenish their supplies and/or make repairs to their houseboats. Unique to their cultural rituals is the
concept of life and their relationship to the sea.
Deaths and Burial Beliefs
Badjao tribe also carries out religious process to burying the dead.
 First, the body of dead will be positioned in the center of Umboh (floating hut) where it is laid
parallel to the side wall
 Second, the corpse-wrapping bandages are cut and washed in water while Imam (religious man)
cleanses the body
 Third, the dead will be dressed and decorated, which will later position itself lying on the floor.
Next, Imam finally prays for the dead before the bandage completely covers the corpse.
Special days
One important religious event among the Sama-Bajau is the annual feast known as pag-
umboh or magpaay-bahaw, an offering of thanks to Umboh Tuhan. In this ceremony, newly harvested rice
(paay-bahaw) are dehusked (magtaparahu) while Islamic prayers (duaa) are recited.
Another annual religious ceremony among the boat-dwelling Sama Dilaut is
the pagkanduli (literally "festive gathering"). It involves ritual dancing to Umboh Tuhan, Dayang Dayang
Mangilai, and ancestral ghosts called bansa.

Quiz: Multiple Choice

1. Widely known as the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes Seas
a. Ifugao
b. Badjao
c. Maranao
d. Maguindaon
2. Badjao permits what under their marriage traditions
a. Polygyny
b. Monogamy
c. Both a and b
d. Only b is true
3. As a nomadic tribe living in stilt huts or boat houses on shallow waters, they make their living
from?
a. traditional free-diving for fish and pearls
b. Kaingin
c. Buying and selling
d. None of the above
4. They are governed by a blank and a group of elders.
a. Chairman
b. Cheftan
c. Chieftan
d. All of the above
5. The largest people group are the Badjao people with an estimated population of?
a. 500,000
b. 300,00
c. 400,000
d. 600,000
6. Focusing on their mode of dressing the traditional attire of a Badjao is the blank. It has many
uses.
a. patadjong
b. malong
c. sablay
d. simpay
7. its the dance they’d adopted from the Samal group of Sulu
a. Igal
b. Daling daling
c. Kulintang
d. None of the above
8. The language of Badjao that is being used on their way of communication
a. Sama
b. Sinama
c. Sanima
d. Sima
9. One important religious event among the Sama-Bajau is the annual feast known as pag-
umboh or magpaay-bahaw, an offering of thanks to
a. Umboh Tuhan
b. Sinama
c. Tuhan
d. Sama Badjao
10. Their traditional dance of them shows their confidence that even the indigenous group of
people can be known for their talents and competitiveness.
a. This statement is False
b. This statement is true
c. This statement is partly false
d. None of the above

References
httap://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/people/ethnic-groups-in-the-philippines/badjao/
https://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Bajau-Marriage-and-
Family.html#ixzz5yhoPgSSx
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2015/12/badjao-nomads-sea-
151207105708904.html
https://badjaoculturecom.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/culture-of-badjao-2/
http://www.badjaobridge.org/sea-tribes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sama-Bajau#Music,_dance,_and_arts