Introduction

This exhibition has been set up with the collaboration of the Persatuan Seni Budaya Bajau, Sabah principally in conjunction with the International Conference on Bajau/Sama Communities 2004 held at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah from 21 – 23 July 2004.

This exhibition will display a general life style of Bajau/Sama. These include the unique dwelling, colourful costumes, daily life and also their expertise in handicrafts such as woven textiles, pottery, household implements and fishing implements.

The role of plants in daily life of the Bajau / Sama is also been highlighted.

Apart from the exhibition, life demonstration will be held on the weaving of the colourful kain dastar with backstrap loom, making parang sheath, making the colourful tudung dulang (food cover), rambat (fish net) and miniature boat.



Objectives

- To highlight the Bajau / Sama in various aspects of culture, arts and history;

- To disseminate information to the public about the rich and diverse heritage of the Bajau/Sama and to inspire the communities to conduct their own research; and

- To instill an appreciation towards the rich and diverse heritage of Bajau / Sama among the local peoples particularly and the public at large.
 


The Bajau / Sama Peoples

The Bajau / Sama people is the second largest indigenous group in Sabah after the Kadazandusun. Orginally, they were seafares of several kindred groups such as the Obians, the Binadans, Suluks and other smaller minorities with similar cultural origins and customs.

In the year 2000, the estimate was 343,178 persons (excluding those on Federal Territory Labuan Island - 4,015 persons) - source: Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia cawangan Sabah.

On the west coast, they are farmers as well as fishermen. They are also referred to as the "Cowboys of the East" because of their highly-skilled horsemanship, and the famous Bajau Horsemen. Astride ponies decorated with tiny bells and colourful reins and cloths, the horsemen, in less elaborate gear themselves, often take part in Sabah celebrations. On the east coast, the majority of them are traditionally fishermen.

Traditionally, they are known as "sama". It is said that the word "Bajau" was given by the Brunei Sultan to a group of peoples at His territories at Sabah in the 17^th century. The word "Bajau" is derived from "Bajaul" which means catching fish.
 

 
Skills

The Bajau / Sama are very skillful in producing colourful handicrafts such as textiles and household implements. The Bajau peoples are well known for their weaving and needlework skills. The Bajau women of Kota Belud, Sabah for instance, make embroided panels sewn onto their long black wrap-skirt. They also weave the tradistional headgear called kain dastar which is also worn by almost every indigenous group in Sabah. The Binadan of Kudat are well known for their kain pis which is a richly embroided one-metre piece of two-facing pieces of cloth and worn by the Rungus (Kadazandusun group) as headgear.

The Bajau / Sama in Semporna are popular in making the lapohan (cooking stove) and lengga (water container) from clay, and also carving. The carving artistry usually applied at lepa-lepa (boat), houses and grave markers.