Badjao People: Historical Information

The Badjao origianally inhabited the islands and coastal areas between the island of Mindanao and the Sulu islands. Evidence suggests that during the first mellennium AD. they begin to leave their homeland. Most of the Badjao people moved south and also westward. As the moved they established themselves along the main Sulu Archipelago the Cagayan Sulu Islands, and the Easter Borneo Coast. Many believe that they came from either Sumartra or the South Sea Islands. Their migration largely resulted from the fact that Chinese trade began to expand. Orginally this group of people may have dwelled among the land but were pushed onto the seas by other more dominant tribes. Because of  the air of superiority from other tribes, the Badjao people became known as "sea-nomads", where they found their dwelling mainly among the seas. They became a highly fragmented people with no specific political unity. The Badjao people are indegenous to area around and in Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines. With a unique history like the Badjao people it is hard to trace them to one specific area or specifically uncover their uique past; however, one thing is for certain.. Jesus provided an identity for them through death on the cross, when they pushed off of the land due to trade, God had already given them a home, a place of belonging in him.

Pray for the truth to be revealed to the Badjao people, that their eyes would be opened to the redemption and secure identity that is in Jesus.

The Badjao People: General Description

      The term Badjao in its origin simply means "Man of the Seas" which explains why the Badjao people are such a geographically scattered people group. Not only does there name give meaning to their sporadic location but it also expresses their unique way of life.
     The Badjao people are most commonly diffused throughout the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines. They originally inhabited the coastal areas and islands between the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Islands.  Groups of Badjao can also be found in the Cagayan Sulu Islands, the eastern state of Sabah in Malaysia, and Kalimantan in Indonesia. Because they are sea nomads, they travel by boat from place to place in search of the fishing harvest.

     There are 111,000 Badjao people in the world who are by many tribes considered  'palau' or 'lumaan' which translates godforsaken. These 111,000 people carry the disgraceful label that defines them as "a people that nobody wants." Because of the severe oppression and stigma they carry, they are forced to move. To the human eye this looks common but to the spiritual eye, we can see they are on the search for something greater. This is really just an immense amount of people in search for their true identity that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
     The areas in which the Badjao people are most commonly located is that of a tropical maritime climate which implies that is is usually hot and humid. These conditions are favorable for their way of life.
     Typically, the lives of Badjao revolve around  fishing, seafaring and trade. They are the poorest ethnic group in Sulu relying mainly on fishing with arrow and diving for coins, exchanging corals, sea shells or pearl for any food or money for their daily food and survival. Trade has also become a very important variable in Badjao society. Both men and women share in agricultural  labor and trade.While the men generally fish, build boats, and work with iron, the women weave mats and market pottery.
Impoverished, poor, 'godforsaken' and a people on an endless search for identity and security barely scratches the surface of this particular unreached people group.