The Bajau people are a small, sea-dwelling people found in Eastern parts of Indonesia and other nearby countries. Because they constantly move around and live in their boats, called lepa-lepas, they are often referred to as “Sea Gypsies”. There are a few groups of Bajau in different areas that have settled into stilted over-water houses.
The Bajau make a living selling fish and other sea creatures which they catch through free-diving. In fact, they are considered the best free-divers in the world, able to hold their breath underwater for up to ten minutes. When they dive, they typically use wooden goggles and wooden spear guns, both hand made. In fact, the creation of the aquatic people in Avatar: The Way of Water was partially influenced by the Bajau lifestyle.
Bajau are considered a frontier people group, meaning no known effort is being made to reach them. They are 99.9% Muslim, and because of their lifestyle, they rarely have formal education. This means they are generally illiterate and need audio versions of the Bible. A few portions of the Bible have been translated into the Bajau language, but a lot of translation work is still left. Another challenge with reaching the Bajau is that they frequently relocate with the changing tides and seasons. This makes initial contact and follow-up extremely difficult.
“To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus].” Acts 26:18
How to Pray for the Bajau People:
- Pray for access to medical care. Many Bajau experience decompression sickness (“the bends”) as they try to free-dive for longer periods of time and resurface quickly.
- For contact to be made with the Bajau people.
- Pray for translation work in the Bajau language.
- Pray that Jesus would appear in dreams and visions, revealing Himself as the true Savior.
