ETHNIC DISTINCTIONS
SUBANONS SAMALS TAUSUGS YAKANS
The Badjaos
Often referred to as the Philippine "sea gypsies", the Badjaso, until recently, spent their lives on their small boats which frequent the waters around the numerous islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Today, about two-thirds of the Tawi-Tawi Badjaos still use boats as permanent living quarters. Some of their villages are, in fact, flotillas.
The Badjaos are of two groups: the southern Badjaos of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, who call themselves a single "bangsa" or ethnic group; and the northern Badjaos (the Basilan and Zamboanga groups).
Though they are water people, they go on land and stay on land when they die or are buried. They make frequent trips to their cemeteries to seek favors from the spirits of their deceased ancestors and relatives.
