The “Underwater People” Nearing Extinction
The Sama-Bajau
The Sama-Bajau is a collective name for several peoples around Southeast Asia. But to outsiders, they've got one enormous claim to fame.
Sea Nomads
Maybe the most famous name for the Sama-Bajau is "Sea Gypsies" or "Sea Nomads," and some of the Sama-Bajau call themselves Sama Dilaut, or "sea Sama."
That's because they lived almost entirely on the sea, and their lives are incredibly different from us.
Where They Live
The Sama-Bajau live mostly on the islands of Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines. However, they also settle on other islands in the Philippines, as well as in Borneo and throughout eastern Indonesia.
Diving
Because of their dependence on the water, the Sama-Bajau have developed absolutely incredible abilities in free-diving. Their divers have the greatest diving time of all humans, and can spend more than five hours a day underwater.
Though this can come with a cost.
Diving Feats
Serious sea hunters and divers among the sea Sama will take their devotion one step further. At an early age, they will intentionally rupture their eardrums, making it easier to withstand the pressure underwater.
Because of this, many elderly Sama-Bajau have difficulty hearing.
