SAMA DILAUT: A PROPOSED BADJAO CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Philippines consisting of numerous ethnic and indigenous groups that have their culture, tradition, and beliefs rich and unique from each other, one of them is the Badjao or Bajau which means man of the seas. This indigenous people move with the wind and flows with the tide on their small boat, they can be found in many coastal settlements and inhabit the waters and shores of the Sulu archipelago. Fishing is their main source of living because they believe that the only way they can live and survive is through knowing and understanding the seas (Peralta, 2002). Modern Sama-Bajau is as peaceful, accommodating, and joyful people, despite their circumstances. However, due to their nomadic lifestyle which most of them are uneducated and illiterate, that makes them vulnerable to our fast-moving and competitive society. The number of Sama-Bajau who are born and live primarily at sea is diminishing because of cultural assimilation and modernization. Some Sama Dilaut (Badjao/Badjaw) are being scattered throughout our country because of cultural assimilation, poverty and ongoing conflict of peace in the Sulu Archipelago. Two kawman/kampong (moorage) exist in Quezon and is centric in Lucena, but as our city urbanized and develops, they must adapt to leaving their culture neglected. Cultural community development will help them to have a self-sustaining area that is situated in the coastline of Dulong Buhangin Brgy. Dalahican. A community that is the instrument in providing them their traditional livelihood such as traditional fishing and tempo (banig) weaving, a community that is culture responsive and provides their educational needs, a community that has facilities that can cultivate, preserve and share their rich and colorful culture, and a community that they can proudly call their own.