SULAWESI

 
A collection of traditional, handmade Bajau lepa lepa boats off the coast of Pulau Bangko. More and more Bajau are abandoning their traditional nomadic lifestyle to settle in permanent homes in stilt villages, but a dwindling few still choose to live
A collection of traditional, handmade Bajau lepa lepa boats off the coast of Pulau Bangko. More and more Bajau are abandoning their traditional nomadic lifestyle to settle in permanent homes in stilt villages, but a dwindling few still choose to live
Imran Lahassan, 40, off the coast of Pulau Bangkau. Imran used to bomb fish to pay for his five children to go to school. His children, however, have come back from school with an education in the science of marine conservation and have asked him to
Imran Lahassan, 40, off the coast of Pulau Bangkau. Imran used to bomb fish to pay for his five children to go to school. His children, however, have come back from school with an education in the science of marine conservation and have asked him to
Ibu Ani looks on as her son, Ramdan, forages the reef for clams. Since Ani's husband died of the bends whilst compressor and cyanide diving, she has relied on her son to support her during the months they spend at sea together. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Ibu Ani looks on as her son, Ramdan, forages the reef for clams. Since Ani's husband died of the bends whilst compressor and cyanide diving, she has relied on her son to support her during the months they spend at sea together. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Moen Lanke wrenching clams from the reef with a tyre iron. He holds his breath for long minutes underwater while the work is done. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Moen Lanke wrenching clams from the reef with a tyre iron. He holds his breath for long minutes underwater while the work is done. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Moen Lanke, seconds after freediving for clams with a tyre iron. The weight of the iron holds him down on the ocean floor allowing him to run along the reefs. In order to get around the problem of equalising (a technique used by scuba divers to balan
Moen Lanke, seconds after freediving for clams with a tyre iron. The weight of the iron holds him down on the ocean floor allowing him to run along the reefs. In order to get around the problem of equalising (a technique used by scuba divers to balan
As Moen Lanke retrieves clams from the reef, his wife shucks them and lays them out on a wire mesh to begin preparing his dinner, which she will cook at the back of their traditional Bajau Lepa Lepa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
As Moen Lanke retrieves clams from the reef, his wife shucks them and lays them out on a wire mesh to begin preparing his dinner, which she will cook at the back of their traditional Bajau Lepa Lepa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Bajau catch stingrays with nets and spears, using the tail section to make a yellow sting ray curry. Torosiaje, Indonesia.
Bajau catch stingrays with nets and spears, using the tail section to make a yellow sting ray curry. Torosiaje, Indonesia.
A young Bajau girl wades out from Torosiaje village to look for sea cucumbers and shell fish. The path to self-sufficiency begins at an early age, as children learn the vital skills of foraging in the shallows. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
A young Bajau girl wades out from Torosiaje village to look for sea cucumbers and shell fish. The path to self-sufficiency begins at an early age, as children learn the vital skills of foraging in the shallows. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
For the children that are born in Torosiaje, it may be several years before they set foot on dry land. The stilt village has a junior school but older children commute to the mainland. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
For the children that are born in Torosiaje, it may be several years before they set foot on dry land. The stilt village has a junior school but older children commute to the mainland. Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The current generation of Bajau may be the last see individuals spend their entire lives at sea. There is no doubt that some incredibly important knowledge is in danger of dying out with them- knowledge that could play an important role in preserving
The current generation of Bajau may be the last see individuals spend their entire lives at sea. There is no doubt that some incredibly important knowledge is in danger of dying out with them- knowledge that could play an important role in preserving
These two children are from a Bajau family who have taken up residence on one of the innumerable uninhabited islands that line the coast of Sulawesi. Unable to eke out a living ashore they have turned back to the sea in order to live a self sufficien
These two children are from a Bajau family who have taken up residence on one of the innumerable uninhabited islands that line the coast of Sulawesi. Unable to eke out a living ashore they have turned back to the sea in order to live a self sufficien
Jatmin, an octopus specialist, carries his freshly speared catch back to his boat in the shallow waters off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Jatmin, an octopus specialist, carries his freshly speared catch back to his boat in the shallow waters off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Whilst few young Bajau are now born on boats, the ocean is still very much their playground. And whilst they are getting conflicted messages from their communities, who simultaneously refrain from spitting in the ocean and continue to dynamite its re
Whilst few young Bajau are now born on boats, the ocean is still very much their playground. And whilst they are getting conflicted messages from their communities, who simultaneously refrain from spitting in the ocean and continue to dynamite its re
Ibu Hanisa lost her hands and the sight in one eye when a homemade fertiliser bomb went off in her house. There are human, as well as environmental, costs to destructive fishing practices.
Ibu Hanisa lost her hands and the sight in one eye when a homemade fertiliser bomb went off in her house. There are human, as well as environmental, costs to destructive fishing practices.
A significant source of income for the Bajau is selling their catch of grouper to live fish export companies. At the end of the day a Bajau fisherman will take his catch to the 'cages' - large underwater nets used by the export companies to store gro
A significant source of income for the Bajau is selling their catch of grouper to live fish export companies. At the end of the day a Bajau fisherman will take his catch to the 'cages' - large underwater nets used by the export companies to store gro