The Bajaus also called Badjaos or Sama Dilaut are nomadic people of the Sulu archipelago. They live on house boats called Lepa. During historical times, these lepas have wood carvings called ukkil that highlight their inclined artistry, but these are not taken into practice.
Philippines. They are sea nomads, it is in their nature to travel for a living but they take flight whenever they are oppressed.
I have learned about their past traditions and present dilemmas. I am concerned with their endangered customs and traditions, as I have learned that these indigenous people have inferiority complex, triggered by how other groups discriminate them, they see themselves as lowly creatures. One Bajau think their name means “bad jaw” he thought that their name is as ugly as them.
People have a lot of misconceptions on Bajaus, they are prejudiced and discriminated which is the reason why they see themselves as outcasts. But these are false impression; people have no idea how rich their culture is.
Few people knew about their dilemmas and only few cares. Their beautiful culture may soon extinct if not taken into action.
I'm doing a thesis about them, and I know they deserve all the attention. With their warm smile, graceful dances, their simplicity and unassuming nature, we all should probably know that a culture as unique as them is worth preserving.
Photos by: Neil Daza
If anyone of you have time, please feel free to answer my survey, it would take less than 5 minutes =) It would certainly strengthen my research for my target market. Please email it to me on snowqueen19ph@gmail.com =)
Name: ________________________________________ Age: ____ Gender: ____
Occupation: _____________________ Civil Status: ___________
1.Do you know anything about the indigenous people Bajau?
_yes __no
2. What can you say about a Bajau’s way of life? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. What coffee table book themes do you usually buy?
__ Art and Architecture __Fashion
__ Travel, People and Culture __ Others: _______________
__ Underwater/ Nature
4. Would you be interested in buying coffee table books about the Bajau and their culture?
_yes __no
5. What do you want to see in a Bajau Coffee table book? (Rate in ascending order; 1 being the highest)
__ Bajau’s History __ Life of a Bajau in Sulu __ Bajau’s in the city
__ Bajau’s art, music and dance __ Bajau’s religion __ Bajau’s boats,food, jewelry
__etc: ______________________________
6. What could possibly motivate you into buying a book on Bajaus?
__Research materials __ Curiosity __ Book Collection __ Cover Design
__ Photographs __ Interest in their culture __Others: ______________
7. Do you consider a book dedicated to Bajau a collectible piece of item?
__yes __no
8. Do you think this is a useful tool to advocate the indigenous people particularly the Bajau?
__yes __no
9. Which kind of photography would look more appealing to you?
__Portraiture __Experimental __Colored Subject __Black & White __Hand painted
__Sepia __ Others: _____________
10. What collaterals or additional promo would you like to accompany the book about Bajaus?
__Through CD record of songs __ Postcards
__ Through VCD/DVD interviews of Bajau __ Calendars
__ Others: ___________________________
11. What grabs your attention in reading books?
__Content __Images/Visuals __Facts/Information
__Cover Design __author, word of mouth __Others:______________
12. How much would you be willing to spend for a coffee table book?
__/20$above __ 30$/above __50$/above __10$ below
13. Do print ads influence you effectively to buy a book?
__yes __no
14. On what factor have been most effective in advertising a book?
__ Messages or words
__ Illustration or pictures
__ Posters and print ads
__ Testimonial ads
__ Radio and TV ads
__ Others: _________________
15. Where do you usually purchase books?
16. Who/What influences you into buying coffee table books?
__Friends __Family __School __ Media __ Personal Interest __Others: ___________
17. Which newspapers do you usually read?
18. Which sections do you usually check up on first?
__Lifestyle __ Sports __ Headlines __ Classified Ads
__Entertainment __Others:_____________
19. Which magazines do you usually read?
__ Reader’s Digest __ Marie Claire __ Asiaweek __ National Geographic __Others:____________
20. Do you collect coffee table books?
Why? _____________________________________________________
Thank you and God Bless! J
