The unique culture of Semporna: the 'Sea Gypsies' dwelling in the sea

In this world, everyone has their own nationality, which is not only a symbol of identity and belonging, but also represents the protection of the country for oneself. However, in the sea area between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, there is an ancient tribe living. They have no nationality, drifting on the sea all year round, as if they were 'abandoned' by the world at the end of the world. This tribe is the 'Bajau' (also called Bajau) who live in the sea. They are the last nomadic people on the vast ocean. For centuries, they have made the sea their home, made a living by fishing, rarely set foot on land, drifted with the waves, had no home, and were known as 'Sea Gypsies'. As for the mystery of the Bajau's origin, it is said that a long time ago, a princess from Johor in Malaysia was washed away by a flood. The king sent troops to search for her in the sea, but they never found her. This army, unable to return, had to stay at sea and became the ancestors of the Bajau. Therefore, their ancestors are the indigenous people of Malaysia. However, as time passed, the Bajau built wooden houses in the shallow sea, reproduced from generation to generation, gradually adapted to marine life, basically traveled by small wooden boats, basically relied on fishing for food, away from the world, free and easy, without desire. For people on land, the Bajau are always full of legendary colors and mystery. The offshore area of Semporna in Sabah, eastern Malaysia, is one of the Bajau's settlements. Visitors to Semporna can rent a boat to go out to sea and visit the Bajau's sea tribe. In the middle of the green sea, about 200 meters away from a tropical island, there are simple single high-legged thatched houses, which is the village where the Bajau live. Seeing the tourist boat approaching, the Bajau villagers in the house all 'came out of the nest', some of them rushed to paddle the small boat to surround them, begging for food and daily necessities from the tourists, and the rest of the villagers all sat at the door of the house, watching the 'land people' who came from afar with curious eyes, revealing kindness and simplicity in their smiles. In today's highly developed modern technology, the Bajau still live a primitive life on the sea, completely isolated from modern civilization, without the need for too many daily necessities and accessories, relying only on the simplest conditions, but living a carefree life. The sense of happiness is not lower than that of the 'land people' who can have everything, living a different kind of life in this blue sky and blue sea.