Sama And Badjao people

Who are the Sama?

Identity and Location: The Sama peoples are composed of many different dialectical and geographical groupings. This is due to their being scattered among the many islands located between the Sulu Archipelago and Palawan in the southeast corner of the Philippines. Many of the Sama groups are identified according to the name of the primary islands that  they inhabit or from which they originate. The Sama people are isolated from the rest of Philippino life because of the remoteness of their home. As a result, even though they reside near a Tausog area they have maintained their own indigenous roots and separate language.

Customs ans Religion: For most of the Sama groups, Islam is well established, but oftentimes it coexist with many indigenous interpretations and practicesthat continue on from the 18^th century when many of the diferent Sama were “converted”. Thus, many of these Sama groups will call themselves “Muslim” but in reality they are animistic in their basic worldview.

Who are the Badjao?

Customs ans Religion: The Badjao are a Filipino Muslim ethnic group of sea gypsies: small groups of boat –dwelling people. They are one of the largest Sama people groups. Their ethnic neighbours, the Tausog and the samal, often called Samal –luwaan (outcasts) or Samal –laud (people of the ocean). They are the poorest ethnic group in Sulu. They depend mainly on fishing for their survival. Badjao communities fall under the category of government DDU areas: depressed, deprived, and underdeveloped. Those that move to urban areas often become beggars.

Customs and Religions: Badjao families have been age –old boat dwellers but recently they have started to live on floating houses built on stilts above their boats and fishing paraphernalia. As a sea –oriented people, they are experts in fishing and pearl diving. Their life revolves largely around the fishing industry. Several Badjao ritualshaving religious significance combine animistic and Islamic beliefs. In general, however, the Badjao are not very pious. Most badjao are so busy just trying to survive that religion often does not play a major role in their lives.