The Sea Gypsies of Davao

by reyna22 on May 27, 2008

On our way to the Samal Reef Diving site, together with the guys from the Carabao Dive Center of Davao, we were swarmed by kids while walking along the banks of the Sta. Ana Wharf. A little later, we saw them on the waters. They were all over the place. Beng told me that those kids belongs to the Badjao tribe.

The Badjao are popularly known as “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes Sea. The name “Badjao” is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes “man of the seas” or Orang-Laut in Bahasa Malayo. Many badjaos live most of their lives in houseboats, which occasionally cluster in moorings near certain strands and beaches, so as to do business in nearby market places of the land-dwelling Sama and Tausug. In the markets they barter their sea products for such farm produce as fruits and cassava. On the shore they also fetch drinking water, gather firewood and gather materials needed in the construction and repair of their houseboats.

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The sea environment shaped Badjao attitude. They learned to exploit the sea to their fullest advantage. Their prowess is in fishing, raising seaweeds and oyster. Pearl gathering is another occupation, and products of the sea they gather to sell at market.

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These guys here?! NOT BADJAO. This is what happens when you forgot to bring food on a scuba diving trip. Hahahaha!!

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Where did we find something to eat? Dito sa indi swanking superstore na dinaanan namin sa isla nang Samal.

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Busy ang mga sisters ko sa isla! Hehehe! Yan po ang habal-habal sa Davao.

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Nagulantang si Ati nung pinakialaman ko ang kanyang labada! Hehehe!

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Ang totoo nito, sardinas at tinapay po ang aming lunch sa gilid nang pier! Hahaha!

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Habang si Inday ay fried bananas naman ang gina-kain.

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Kaya pag me nakita kayong gwapitong Badjao na gaya nito, utang na loob! Mag-tapon kayo nang $20 minimum sa paypal account kooooo!!! Need ko sya pan-twisyon at allowances nang mga boylets ko!!! Hahaha!

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Here’s one version of the video. There’s too many pictures, it won’t fit one video.



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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

kulot May 27, 2008 at 12:14 am

nice nice nice! hey, have you attended the Gay pride parade in Sao Paolo?

kulot’s last blog post..The Hair cutter

[Reply]

reynz May 27, 2008 at 12:55 am

Hmmm… not yet at takot ako! hahaha! baka totoong makidnap ang lola dun! hahaha at Y naman u ask?

[Reply]

Ambo May 27, 2008 at 1:55 am

hahaha pareho pa tayo ng topic sa ambotology.com. Welcome back Mahal na Reyna!

Ambo’s last blog post..Pinay Domestic Helpers in Jordan

[Reply]

pusa May 27, 2008 at 2:03 am

argh ingit galore na naman to :)

nagda-dive rin ba yun mga badjao pag nagtapon ka ng coins?

pusa’s last blog post..an affair with a D.O.M

[Reply]

bluep May 27, 2008 at 5:37 am

wow ang linis ng tubig kahit nasa pier… kita ko nipples mo mahal na reyna, ga-pakwan haha utong pa lang yun! LOL

bluep’s last blog post..The early death of Pinoy Idol (Ep. 8, 9 & 10)

[Reply]

kengkay May 27, 2008 at 7:23 am

alam mo nung nasa batangas din kami, andun din ang mga badjaos ano. dala nila ang buong pamilya sa isang bangka at dun din sila nagluluto; tapos naglalako sila ng kanilang mga perlas. itong mga anak ko kapag nakita sila, kasi awang awa – ganito ang drama, ‘mama ich will was kaufen’ o si nanay kengkay naman ‘ich hab nicht zu viel geld’ tapos ‘aber wir mussen die arme leute helfen’ sago ko ulit – ‘mama ist doch arm’ – o bahala ka ng mag translate, hahahah

kengkay’s last blog post..Liwanagin natin ang misteryo ng Anawangin Beach

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