The Bajau Laut: The Sea Gypsies of Southeast Asia
the Bajau Laut tribe, also known as the sea gypsies. tribe and their unique lifestyle of living in the sea. Bajau Laut's origins and how they became sea gypsies.
When we think of nomadic tribes, we often picture people who move from one place to another on land. However, there is a tribe in Southeast Asia that has been living in the sea for generations. They are known as the Bajau Laut or sea gypsies.
The Bajau Laut live in small boats that serve as their homes. These boats are only 5 meters by one and a half meters, but they are enough to accommodate the basic needs of the tribe, including food arrangements. They spend their lives floating in the sea, hunting fish and crabs and collecting dead coral that is sold as a gem at a high price.
What sets the Bajau Laut apart from other tribes is their ability to hold their breath underwater for long periods of time. While a normal person can stay submerged for 40 seconds to 1 minute, the Bajau Laut can stay under water for up to 13 minutes. This amazing ability has caught the attention of Western scientists who have studied the tribe extensively.
Researchers have found that the Bajau Laut's ability to hold their breath is due to genetic adaptation over centuries of seafaring. Their spleen is elongated, which controls the amount of red blood cells in their body and allows them to take in more oxygen in their lungs at once. This adaptation is similar to that of other marine mammals.
In addition to their elongated spleen, the Bajau Laut have larger lungs and a stiffer diaphragm, which allows them to take in more oxygen at once. However, researchers are still trying to determine the exact reason for these adaptations.
This incredible ability has caught the attention of Western scientists, who have conducted research on the Bajau Laut. They have discovered that the Sea Gypsies have genetically adapted to their seafaring lifestyle over centuries. Their spleen is elongated, which allows them to hold their breath for extended periods of time, much like marine mammals.
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| Bodgaya village |
The Bajau Laut were not always a nomadic tribe. They once lived in Danga, a city in Malaysia. According to legend, a terrible flood swept through the region, and the king ordered his special servants to find his daughter, who had been swept away in the current. When they failed to find her, they were too ashamed to return home and set out on a voyage that eventually led them to become the Sea Gypsies we know today.
The Bajau Laut's training to dive into the sea for a long time starts from childhood. At a young age, they rupture their own eardrums, which reduces the risk of water accumulation in the ear and infection. However, most people lose their hearing when they reach the age of 60 due to this practice.
According to legend, the Bajau Laut were once residents of the Malaysian city of Johor, but a terrible flood forced them to cross the sea in search of the princess who was swept away in the current. They did not find her, but they did not return to their country because of the shame of their failure. From there, their seafaring journey began.
In conclusion, the Bajau Laut are a unique tribe that has adapted to living in the sea over generations. Their ability to hold their breath underwater for long periods of time is a result of genetic adaptation and childhood training. The legend of their origins adds a touch of mystery to their fascinating lifestyle. The Bajau Laut are a testament to human adaptability and resilience in the face of challenging environments.
