The Bajau Laut in Sabah, Malaysia earn the name “Sea Gypsies” since they drift in the sea like nomads. They live on the ocean since birth and would almost never set foot on land all their life. Not being recognised by any government makes them stateless. Without a national identity, they are not under the protection of any country or entitled to basic rights such as education and medical care. They have to risk being harassed by the marine police for making ends meet by fishing. As sea life is becoming increasingly difficult in recent years, many Bajau Laut have moved onshore. Three Bajau Laut families have taken different paths. How would these sea gypsies end up amid modernization?
