Borneo's Sea Gypsies

The Bajau are an ethnic group living in Malaysia - a loose collection of several related indigenous groups and tribes from the surrounding area. Often referred to as "Sea Gypsies", due to a historic existence as a nomadic seafaring people, more and more of the Bajau have been moving onshore over time. However, in some areas, communities of families are still maintaining their nomadic, sea-based lifestyle without a fresh water supply or electricity, only going ashore to bury their dead.

1. Sea gypsy boys paddle their boat through their neighborhood in the Sulawesi Sea in Malaysia's state of Sabah on Borneo, February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad)
2. A family of sea gypsies gather on a deck of their hut in their neighborhood in the Sulawesi Sea near the Malaysia's state of Sabah on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad)
3. A girl steers her boat near her home in the Sulawesi Sea, Malaysia on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad)
4. A family laughs while gathered in their hut in the Sulawesi Sea in Malaysia on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad)
5. Huts on stilts form part of a neighborhood of sea gypsies in the ocean waters off Malaysia's state of Sabah. Poto taken February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)
6. Young sea gypsies laugh as they gather outside of their hut in the Sulawesi Sea off the island of Borneo on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)
7. Children sit on their boat outside of their family hut in Malaysia's state of Sabah on Borneo island on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)
8. A sea gypsy boy paddles his boat through his neighborhood in the Sulawesi Sea, Malaysia on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)
9. Young sea gypsies play in the water among their homes in the Sulawesi Sea on February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)
10. A family gathers on a deck of their hut in the in Sulawesi Sea at sunset, February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)