The Bajau peoples are classified by the government as Bajau, which is a group of predominantly Muslim people living along the west coast of Sabah. The Bajau subgroup includes the West Coast Bajau, and the Bajau Bukit (Papar). The language of the Bajau comprises a chain of mutually intelligible dialects which has been influenced by the Malay language. It is sometimes referred to as Borneo Coast Bajau. This language is mutually unintelligible with the Sama (East Coast Bajau) languages spoken on Sabah's east coast and in the region of the Sulu Sea.
The origin of the Bajau peoples is not certain, however, there is a documented report of their presence in the Kota Belud district in the 1850s and 1860s. Today their settlements spread along Sabah's coastal regions from Kuala Penyu of the Kuala Penyu district in the southwest to Terusan of the Beluran district in the northeast. The Tempasuk plain in Kota Belud, where the largest group of Bajau lives, is their cultural heartland.
The Bajau were once sea-nomads dwelling in boats, harvesting fish and other marine resources. These days, they have increasingly become land-dwellers and have become proficient in wet rice cultivation and livestock rearing. Some have developed into excellent horsemen. They grow small crops for personal consumption or for supplemental income as well as for engaging in trade. Businesses are growing in number but tend to be small and mostly related to food selling.
Increased opportunity for and appreciation of education has helped some Bajau to secure positions in a variety of wage-earning jobs. Improved transportation has enabled many of them to work in other parts of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. Work opportunities are scarce for those remaining in the villages.
The Bajau practice Islam and their religious holidays are directly tied to the Islamic calendar. For instance, they observe the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which time Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. Many Bajau have merged Islamic practices with their own local traditions, such as the reading of Arabic prayers at the beginning of a traditional celebration.
One such celebration is called the kenduri arwah, which is a feast practiced in honor of deceased family members. At such feasts, sedekah 'alms' are given to the pakir (the prayer leader); those who are remembered during the prayers accrue merit for the afterlife. They also observe celebrations that are not related to the Islamic calendar. For instance, feasts may be given at a baby's hair-cutting ceremony, and to celebrate a boy's circumcision. Smaller feasts are held to honor the fulfillment of a vow, or to request divine protection in the warding off of sickness or other danger.
The Bajau communities need infrastructure development in the areas of health and education. More medical workers, facilities, and services are needed. Many of their youth do not complete their schooling. Pray that God would send people to help them with these health and education needs. Pray, too, that their spiritual needs would not be neglected.
Scripture Prayers for the Sama, Mapun in Malaysia.
Profile Source: Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Sama, Mapun |
People Name in Country | Sama, Mapun |
Natural Name | Sama Mapun |
Alternate Names | Bajau; Jama Mapun; Kagayan; Mapun; Sama |
Population this Country | 18,000 |
Population all Countries | 71,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10584 |
ROP3 Code | 100800 |
Country | Malaysia | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 43 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Sabah: Kota Kinabalu district, Kota Kinabalu; Kota Marudu district, Kota Marudu; Kudat district, Banggi and Mantanani islands, Kudat; Sandakan district, Sandakan. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Malaysia |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 43 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Sabah: Kota Kinabalu district, Kota Kinabalu; Kota Marudu district, Kota Marudu; Kudat district, Banggi and Mantanani islands, Kudat; Sandakan district, Sandakan.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Mapun (18,000 speakers) |
Language Code | sjm Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Mapun (18,000 speakers) |
Language Code | sjm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Mapun |
Primary Language: Mapun
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1978-1998) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2021) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Mapun | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Mapun | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Mapun | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Peoples of the World Foundation All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Profile Source | Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |