Stateless sea gypsies in Bangsamoro coastlines: Understanding the Sama Bajau ethnic tribe in the Philippines

Moreno, Frede (2023): Stateless sea gypsies in Bangsamoro coastlines: Understanding the Sama Bajau ethnic tribe in the Philippines. Published in:

Abstract

This research paper investigates the socio-political and cultural dynamics surrounding the Sama Bajau ethnic tribe, commonly referred to as "stateless sea gypsies," residing along the coastlines of the Bangsamoro region in the Philippines. By employing a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses anthropology, sociology, and public administration, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical, socio-cultural, and political contexts that contribute to the statelessness of the Sama Bajau community. Drawing on a thorough examination of existing literature, empirical data analysis, and field observations, this research reveals the challenges confronted by the Sama Bajau, including limited access to essential services, landlessness, marginalization, and the preservation of their cultural heritage. Moreover, it explores the intricate relationship between state policies, local governance structures, and the resilient cultural practices of the Sama Bajau. In light of these findings, this study presents a set of policy recommendations aimed at addressing the plight of the Sama Bajau tribe. These proposals advocate for the recognition of their rights to cultural identity and land, the provision of basic social services, and the implementation of inclusive strategies to enhance their active involvement in decision-making processes.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: stateless sea gypsies, Sama Bajau, Bangsamoro, Philippines, statelessness, ethnic tribe, cultural resilience, governance.
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I31 - General Welfare, Well-Being; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I38 - Government Policy ; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O5 - Economywide Country Studies; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O5 - Economywide Country Studies > O50 - General; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q0 - General; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q0 - General > Q00 - General; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q0 - General > Q01 - Sustainable Development; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q51 - Valuation of Environmental Effects; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q54 - Climate ; Natural Disasters and Their Management ; Global Warming; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q56 - Environment and Development ; Environment and Trade ; Sustainability ; Environmental Accounts and Accounting ; Environmental Equity ; Population Growth; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q57 - Ecological Economics: Ecosystem Services ; Biodiversity Conservation ; Bioeconomics ; Industrial Ecology; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q58 - Government Policy; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R2 - Household Analysis; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R2 - Household Analysis > R23 - Regional Migration ; Regional Labor Markets ; Population ; Neighborhood Characteristics; Y - Miscellaneous Categories > Y8 - Related Disciplines; Y - Miscellaneous Categories > Y9 - Other; Z - Other Special Topics > Z0 - General; Z - Other Special Topics > Z0 - General > Z00 - General; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z13 - Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology ; Social and Economic Stratification; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z18 - Public Policy

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