The “Sea Gypsies”
-Bajau, Badjau, Bajo, or Sama; each name refers to the same
group of people. The Bajau, who prefer to be named Sama (meaning “we”), have
many names, but they generally have to do with their aquatic culture.
- Bajau or Badjao, when translated, means “man of the seas,”
and “Diluat” refers to the ocean as in “living on the sea” and is added at the
end of Sama or Bajau (i.e. Sama-Diluat or Bajau- Diluat). They are not fans of the name term Badjao but they accept it because it is how the higher authorites, such as government and political officials, refer to them.
They divide themselves into two alternate categories: the land-oriented and the sea- based which are known as "sea gypsies." The land- oriented, called Sama Dilaya or Sama Diliya, are generally associated as the Sama. Meanwhile, the Sama Dilaut (sea- based) are accredited as the Bajau. Because they are all generally called the Bajau people in Malaysa, their sea or land orient seperates them: the land Bajau, or Bajau Darat, and the sea Bajau, or Bajau Laut. In indonesia, they are called Bajo.
They divide themselves into two alternate categories: the land-oriented and the sea- based which are known as "sea gypsies." The land- oriented, called Sama Dilaya or Sama Diliya, are generally associated as the Sama. Meanwhile, the Sama Dilaut (sea- based) are accredited as the Bajau. Because they are all generally called the Bajau people in Malaysa, their sea or land orient seperates them: the land Bajau, or Bajau Darat, and the sea Bajau, or Bajau Laut. In indonesia, they are called Bajo.
There are many sub-groups of the Bajua tribe, specifically
land- oriented, and they distinguish themselves by the name of their islands in
which they reside or their dialect.
Because many of the Sama people refer to themselves by location, the indigenous group may become offended when referenced by the wrong name. To stay on the safe side it is best to call them Sama.
An offensive name, given to them by the Tausug, is Siyamal.
They are also called palauor lumaan by neighbors; the term means "Godforsaken." It was given to them due to the fact they lived on water instead of land.
Sources:
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.
2013 Sama. Electronic document. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/49401/Sama accesed
March 27 2013.
Sinama.org
2013 The Bajau, the Badjao, the Samals, and the Sama People http://sinama.org/about-sama-people/the-bajau-and-sama-people/ accessed April 8, 2013The Aquatic Ape
N.d. Bajau Laut http://theaquaticape.org/sea-nomads/ny-sida-test/ accessed April 8, 2013
Wikipedia
2013 Bajua People. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bajau_people accessed April 8, 2013
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