⛵ Bajau Sama

Bajau Sama Sea Nomads

The Bajau Sama (Bajau Laut, "Sea Bajau") are maritime nomads inhabiting the waters between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Living almost entirely on boats or stilt houses over coral reefs, they spend up to 60% of their working day underwater, free-diving to depths of 20-30 meters to hunt fish and harvest sea cucumbers. Evolutionary adaptations include enlarged spleens (50% larger than land-based populations) that store oxygenated red blood cells, enabling longer breath-holds. Their extreme aquatic lifestyle represents one of humanity's most specialized environmental adaptations.