THE SAMA DILAUT
Ang Mga Sama ng Laot
Practically unknown to most Filipinos,
these indigenous people are often mistaken for Badjaos.
The Sama Dilaut are called many things by many people. Most often they are referred to as Badjao by the Tausug people who live near them. Westerners often refer to them as ‘sea gypsies’ the Sama Dilaut spend most of their lives living on the sea (NCCA. 2002).
Historically, they were a highly mobile people that lead a nomadic lifestyle which depended upon the bounty of the ocean and the use of key resources on land in order to survive (Nimmo. 2001: 21-25).
these indigenous people are often mistaken for Badjaos.
The Sama Dilaut are called many things by many people. Most often they are referred to as Badjao by the Tausug people who live near them. Westerners often refer to them as ‘sea gypsies’ the Sama Dilaut spend most of their lives living on the sea (NCCA. 2002).
Historically, they were a highly mobile people that lead a nomadic lifestyle which depended upon the bounty of the ocean and the use of key resources on land in order to survive (Nimmo. 2001: 21-25).
Driven out of the sea by commercial fishing and into the cities where they are forced to ask for food from strangers and seek shelter in streets, public parks, ghettos and even in sewers.
The threats internal to the Philippines that loom over the daily existence of the Sama Dilaut are many. Of primary importance are three: economic hardship, ethnic persecution, and a lack of recognition and representation. The first threat, that of economic hardship, affects their traditional lifestyle. Formerly, they had little need for monetary valuables and were rarely involved in cash exchange. The Sama Dilaut would harvest what they needed from the sea or unoccupied land. This has changed with the advent of fisheries laws, the setting of National boundaries, and over-fishing of waters traditionally used by the Sama Dilaut by large scale commercial fishing operations (Alamaia. 2005). As a result of these changes in resources that were once abundant have become relatively scarce, the Sama Dilaut have become dependent upon wage labor, they are exploited by capitalist fishing operations, and they are forced to compete in a world that they are not adequately prepared to compete in (Arquiza. 2004).
Here's PAC in a ground-breaking interaction with the the Sama Dilaut youth of Mabalacat, Pampanga. The Sama Dilaut community under the care of artist Yatu Ybarra
(sometimes referred to as "Datu" by the Sama Dilaut)
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that the people of the world must recognize “the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights and characteristics of indigenous peoples, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources, which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies…”(UNESC. 2007).
(sometimes referred to as "Datu" by the Sama Dilaut)
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that the people of the world must recognize “the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights and characteristics of indigenous peoples, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources, which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies…”(UNESC. 2007).
ViDeOs
PAC dancing traditional Pangalay to Ysagani Ybarra's "Sea Nymph Song." in the community center. The song is about a 14-year-old Sama Dilaut girl who was massacred in cold blood due to rage ~ just when the community was starting to establish their dwelling in a sanctuary secured by Yatu in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
The Sama Dilaut's instinct then was to flee to the sea.
Yatu, however, convinced the people to stand up for themselves and be counted in their newfound community. Without deviating from their peaceful and humane nature, the people exemplified how justice can be achieved through peace, love, and humility, essential virtues the word of God teaches.
Pangalay Artists Circle's (R-L) Levi Azarcon, Yang Bautista, Boom Granada, Mark Anthony Castillo with Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation's Ysagani Ybarra near the lahar-coated river - traces of the horrors of the Mt. Pinatubo explosion in the early 90's.
PAC with PAMPANGA and MAWF Artists
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