Kitty Cheng

Did you know that traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous people play a crucial role in climate change survival in the 21st century? Multiple studies show that indigenous people can manage natural resources in a sustainable way; but are often viewed by outsiders as victims of climate change due to their lack of advanced technology, and perception of life that does not evolve around capitalism. What can we learn from these long-standing traditions as we strive towards our own sustainability?

Ocean nomads

The Bajau people of Indonesia are also known as "Conquerors of the Sea,” “Nomads of the Ocean,” and “Sea Gypsies” thanks to their previously nomadic lifestyles, scattered across the sea in small boats, before they settled on land. Despite living in areas with a high-risk of uncertain weather, geological instability, and limited resources, the Bajau have integrated elements of nature into their lifestyles. The Bajau’s adaptive mechanisms offer valuable insights for future climate change mitigation for the rest of the world.  

The spirit of sustainability

The local wisdom of the Bajau derives from their spiritual beliefs. Instead of viewing the power of the ocean as hazardous, the Bajau believe that their ancestors are “Mbombongana lao” (rulers of the sea) and will protect them. Bajau people view the sea as an unlimited stretch of the earth and as a place to engage with all sorts of activities that provide life. The sea symbolises infinite resources, which implies that the Bajau people believe they will never suffer from poverty or hunger - their needs will be provided for.  It is essential for Bajau people to breathe sea air every day, and not being able to hear waves is a discomfort. The sea is more than their origin and food provider, but also a brother that should not be damaged. Hence, they will only hunt fish that reach maturity, a practice adopted in marine resource management. Moreover, they will only collect dried branches to preserve the precious mangrove environment. Their strong beliefs allow the Bajau to develop a mindset where they are constantly aware of natural resources, and so they hunt in a sustainable way that contributes to coral conservation and biodiversity.

Language

Their mindset and connection with nature can also be seen in their language, Bahasa, which the majority of Bajau people speak. The words “nature” and “resilience” do not exist in Bahasa. The word “nature” implies “non-nature”, but the Bajau people see the world and their surroundings as one. They do not view themselves as different from nature. Indeed, it is impossible to say that anything is not a creation of the natural world, thus the Bajau people demonstrate a unique form of environmental literacy that challenges Western perceptions of nature. When being asked to explain the closest concept to “resilience”, Bajau uses the word “harta”, which means the ability to collect goods and establish relations with individuals without monetary exchange.

Merging the old and new environments

Bajau develop their community and its resilience by incorporating new materials with the old ones. The village infrastructure constantly changes and improves. It is also common for boats, bridges, and houses to be destroyed and remade in order to adapt to new environments. Nothing should be seen as separate to the natural environment, including rubbish. Whilst Western countries will discard waste or recycle certain materials as an environmentally friendly approach, in the Bajau’s inclusive environment, people will integrate used items into their landscape, tools, and spirits. Bajau children choose to play with rubbish rather than toys: as if they have already existed, the toys are “more real”. The Bajau people are perfect examples of how indigenous people can maintain their cultural identity while incorporating new aspects into their daily life at the same time.

A bird decoration made out of rubbish, and recycling plastic bottles to use as fishing tools. Photo: Kitty Cheng.

Community adaptation

Generations of Bajaus have demonstrated a strong foundation of adaptation. They changed from sea nomads to villagers, upgraded their community's infrastructure and have lived completely different lifestyles to their ancestors. When being forced to settle in the village, the Bajau developed a new material culture in a short amount of time. Everyone has their own role in the Bajau village and will take on other responsibilities when roles become saturated, such as hunting, or starting a business with another community. An increasing number of Bajau people are becoming civil servants and participating in marine conservation programs.

While the government implemented marine management programmes such as no-fish zones and changes in fishing methods, it is often the Bajau people that pass on information to communities and reinforce policies. A successful example of this is the mangrove and coastal management in Tomini Bay, managed by the Bajau tribe, which shows their commitment and care in protecting the environment.

The future of the Bajau people

Due to anthropogenic pressures that accelerate the effects of climate change, the lives of the Bajau will be changed again. Despite the Bajau’s continuous adaptation effort in alternative fishing patterns and housing infrastructure, it is predicted that the upcoming sea level rise will exceed the limit of Bajau houses built above the sea. Indonesia will also experience more frequent extreme weather conditions, including storms and hurricanes. Indonesian officials need to strengthen the authority of the Bajau, in order to help marine resources preservation with their local wisdom.

The adaptive mechanisms of the Bajau people offer valuable insights for climate change management through their understanding of nature. Perhaps, therefore, there is more than one way to survive climate change.

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