A Bajo fishermen in Indonesia. Ulet Ifansasti

A shift for nomads of the sea

The Bajo people once spent a large part of their lives on boats or in offshore huts on wooden poles anchored to the sea bottom. Traditionally, they came ashore only to trade for supplies or shelter from storms. Their communities are found off the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. They are skilled at fishing and free diving.

Starting in the late 1980s, the Indonesian government developed settlements for them on land to access services like schools. More of the Bajo began spending more time on land. Some gave up their seaborne lives entirely.

To those who study the Bajo, there’s little question that the culture is losing touch with its nomadic, seafaring past. Advocates hope that the younger generation will not forsake its connection to the sea.