Sea gypsies: Sabah

sea gypsies: two kids on a boat near home

(Above) Two boys from a community commonly known as sea gypsies paddle their boat close to their home.

Samah live in sea-based lifestyle off Malaysia's state of Sabah

The Samah are an indigenous ethnic group from Malaysia and the Philippines who live a sea-based lifestyle in the Sulawesi Sea off Malaysia's state of Sabah.

sabah is one of a number of groups collectively known as sea gypsies

The Sabah are one of a number of groups collectively known as Bajau, or sea gypsies.

sea gypsies also revere gods of the sea and make offerings when a big catch is brought in

Although sea gypsies are Muslims, they also revere the gods of the sea and make offerings when a large catch is brought in.

sea gypsies build houses on stilts in coastal shallows

Originally the sea gypsies lived a nomadic lifestyle in boats. Nowadays most live in small communities, building houses on stilts in the coastal shallows without fresh water or electricity.

Photos courtesy of Reuters

Original Source: The Telegraph