Introduction 

There is a reason why I researched about the Bajaos

ー an ethnic group in the southern Philippines. That 
reason is because it is a performance task in our 
English subject. Despite researching Badjaos since it 
is a performance task, it also caught my interest 
seeing that they are accustomed to the sea. Research 
about the Badjaos or any particular ethnic group is 
beneficial because you would get to know their 
language and culture, not only that but also their tradition, history and such . The Badjaos originated 
from the southern Philippines. The term “badjao,” which means “fisherfolk”, refers to the people 
who live on the seas or shores of the Sulu. Part of the 
bigger group called Sama, the Badjao are generally 
boat dwellers or “sea gypsies'' whose religion is spirit 
worship, albeit with Islamic influences. ​The Badjaos 
commonly live a seaborne lifestyle and they use small 
wooden sailing boats or vessels. They are generally 
from the islands of  
Sulu Archipelago in our country Philippines, coastal 
areas of Mindanao, northern and eastern Borneo, the 
Celebes, and all over eastern Indonesian islands.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

image: ​https://wwww.google.com/ 
Image © 2010 Ronald de Jong 
info : ​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sama-Bajau 
​http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/people/ethnic-groups-in-the-philippines/badjao/
Culture 
Livelihood 
Badjaos are endemic fisher-folk who have 
been using fishing methods to sustain their 
needs for over 1500 years. However, in these 
past 50 years, the Philippines has experienced 
a surge in population that has severely 
depleted or drained fish populations And that 
left Badjaos without anything to sustain their 
livelihood. They are uneducated and often avoided and ignored by the majority people group, they 
are left struggling to survive in modern society. On the bright side, they are hardworking even 
though they grew up without proper education. 
 
Wedding 
A Badjao wedding is a three day affair with dancing, food and festivities.The whole town is invited. 
Today however, the ceremony has been mixed with modern formal rite. On the final day of the 
celebration, most of the people of the community are gathered in front of the church to watch 
dancers and to wait for the fun to begin. 
 
Food 
The staple food of the Badjaos are panggi (cassava) and fish. Rice is only served on special occasions 
or as dessert. They have no regular meals; hence, there are no Badjao words for breakfast, lunch, 
and supper. They eat whenever they are hungry and there is food. 
 
Pre-colonial − Present  
The modern Badjaos are generally viewed as peaceful, hospitable, and cheerful people, despite their 
humility, significant numbers are also ignorant, uneducated, and impoverished, due to their nomadic 
lifestyle. 
 

   
Informations: ​http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph:81/CC01/NLP00VM052mcd/v1/v4.pdf 
 
Literary  
 
Tenes kinambaya bai taga  
Jalidua Tulaku ni  
Sabah baka alama lama  
Kita ilu karua umbal na mag-unda sadya  
Tabanaka dangan-dangan na  
Baikita maglata-lata  
Intomon pain si lanla  
Intomon pain si lanla  
Baikita magbeya kadua  
Baikita na maglata-lata  
Landiar lata tenesanta  
Mikilana susa lahat si litel gel itu  
Halam na tanda.  
 
Tenes don’t be sad; 
When I leave for Sabah 
We will seldom see each other  
And you will be left alone.  
We used to tease each other.  
Remember this young man  
Remember this young man  
When we were together,  
When we used to tease each other.  
Now our tenes-tenes is over; 
I will no longer see your home. 
 
 

   
Informations: ​http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph:81/CC01/NLP00VM052mcd/v1/v4.pdf 
 
Comparative Analysis 
 
The Badjaos also have riddles for literature. In the Semporna district of Sabah, Badjao riddles that 
are collected have an opening: daingdaing ai, meaning “what kind of fish ''. Few observed groups of 
young men playing these guessing games at night, each side even betting some money on its 
answers. Their culture reflects with their literary works due to the fact that their literaries are about 
their lifestyle, their work, and so on. The Badjaos have songs for approximately every activity, 
however, all except for the lugu (wedding song) and panulkin (song for the dead) have improvised 
lyrics.  
 
Conclusion  
 
Badjao’s literary works reflect what they do day by day, their feelings, their duty and culture. 
Therefore, I conclude that the Badjao’s literary works reflect, are inspired and are about their culture 
by the cause of the given data on my research paper that the Badjao’s have riddles and it is about the 
fishes they caught. Riddles are not only just their literary works but there are also songs such as 
leleng, a song when a Badjao or Badjaos leave their hometown in order to go to Manila.  
 

   
Informations: ​http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph:81/CC01/NLP00VM052mcd/v1/v4.pdf