The Bajau: history and characteristics of this Asian people

In the Joló sea, near the coast of the Zamboanga peninsula, lives a community in full communion with the ocean. They are the Bajau, also known as the "sea nomads", who continue to carry out their centuries-old practices in the 21st century. These traditions are related to fishing, which has been their way of life for generations. The Bajau are fully adapted to deep-sea diving, and can stay below the surface for as long as 5 minutes (and sometimes much longer).

Who are the bajau, the "sea nomads"? In this article we propose a journey through this fascinating culture.

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The bajau and the sea

The bajau or badjao are located in the current countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. They are a very ancient people, of uncertain origin, who speak a Malayo-Polynesian language and who they follow syncretic beliefs, a mixture of Islam and animism, although many of them are Muslims sunnis

I put them down

they live in wooden houses suspended in the sea by pillars of the same material and that sink under its waters. It is believed that they probably reached the sea under pressure from other peoples. Since then, the Bajau have literally lived in the water, we might say, since many of them barely set foot on land in their entire lives. During the day, they venture out into the ocean aboard their lepas, small wooden boats built by themselves in the traditional way. Once in the open sea, they cover their eyes with wooden diving goggles and put on fins made of the same material, which allow them to "walk" on the seabed.

After a series of deep breaths, during which their metabolism slows down and their heartbeat slows down, the sea hunters dive into the waters, in search of fish and crustaceans. Their only fishing tool is a kind of spear, also made by themselves, which allows them to skewer the fish.

Their main source of food is the sea, which is why the Bajau are expert swimmers and divers.. His lung capacity is unheard of; They can stay underwater for more than 5 minutes (sometimes up to 10), thanks to hard and continuous training that begins in childhood. In addition to this, a recent study has shown that the Bajau have a spleen that is larger than the human average, which could benefit them in their underwater activities. Let's see why.

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Genetic adaptation to the sea

Dr. Melissa Llardo, from the Center for Geogenetics at the University of Copenhagen, was completely amazed by the ability shown by this Asian community to remain under the sea for long minutes.

In order to study the abilities of these marine hunters, she moved to a Bajau community and, with the consent of the tribe, began a series of investigations in this regard. Llardo made a surprising discovery: the spleen of the Bajau was no less than 50% larger than that of the Saluan, a group that lives on the main island of Indonesia. Despite being ethnically related to the Bajau, the Saluan do not engage in spearfishing, which could explain the genetic differences between the two communities.

But what relationship does the spleen have with all this?

The spleen and oxygen

The spleen is an organ that is located close to the pancreas and whose function is, among others, to produce lymphocytes and filter the blood. When a person is underwater, the spleen contracts to save energy in the face of the sudden drop in oxygen. In an average human being, the immersion will last a few seconds, depending on their physical abilities and previous training.

In the case of lowering it, the increased size of the spleen could be linked to its resistance underwater, since it allows a greater release of oxygen in the blood during diving. At least, this is how Dr. Llardo's study concludes: this genetic mutation made it easier for the Bajau to better adapt to their underwater life.

There are, however, other factors related to the underwater resistance of this town. According to Richard Moon, of the Duke University School of Medicine (United States), the continuous training of the Bajau since the childhood helps to achieve greater lung adaptation, which would prevent blood vessels from breaking due to high pressure underwater.

On the other hand, the study of the bajau could help to understand the functioning of acute hypoxia and its possible solutions, since this disease involves a rapid loss of oxygen that can lead to death. If we can understand how the Bajau manage to withstand high levels of pressure underwater and the consequent decrease in oxygen in the blood, perhaps we will be closer to finding the remedy.

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A lively and colorful community

The Bajau are a happy people, a great lover of parties, music and colour. When night falls and the fishermen return to their homes, a small celebration is usually held., which includes music and dance. However, weddings are the most applauded moments: in them, the women perform a dance in which they imitate, with their hands and their bodies, the movements of the waves of the sea. Men are not allowed to participate in this type of dance; only the groom has the honor of joining the dancers.

The clothing of the Bajau is colorful and full of fantasy, made with a traditional fabric called dastar, although currently it is very common to see members of the communities dress in the western style. The sale of surplus fish, as well as tourist souvenirs, provides them with the necessary income. to obtain everything necessary to live, such as clothing or kitchen utensils.

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Climate change and massive fishing, serious threats to the Bajau

The traditional way of life of this town is being threatened by two very important factors: by a hand, climate change, which causes sea storms that pose a danger to fishing in the fragile lepas; and on the other, massive fishing, which is leaving the bajau without a source of food. That is why many of them are migrating to the mainland, where they make a living as ranchers or farmers.

In a globalized world where nature reserves are in danger, traditional communities such as the Bajau have a really difficult time continuing to practice their lifestyle. Fortunately, there is more and more awareness on the subject, and the customs of this people from the seas of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia enjoy more and more respect and admiration. Let's hope that the Bajau can continue to enjoy, in the future, their absolute harmony with the ocean.