The Nomads of the Sea: Discovering the Lives of Moken and Cham

🌊The Moken and Cham are water nomadic peoples, living on traditional boats and relying on the sea for their livelihoods.

⚓Their boats, called kabangs, are built using traditional methods and are carefully maintained to ensure their safety on the water.

🐠Both the Moken and Cham are skilled fishermen and divers, using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

🌍The Moken and Cham face challenges such as the depletion of resources and the encroachment of modern fishing practices.

❤️Despite the difficulties they face, the Moken and Cham maintain a strong sense of community and resilience, supporting each other in their way of life.

What is the significance of the kabang for the Moken and Cham?

—The kabang is not just a boat for the Moken and Cham, it is their home and symbolizes their way of life. They maintain their kabangs with care and see them as an integral part of their identity.

What are some traditional fishing and diving techniques used by the Moken and Cham?

—The Moken and Cham are skilled fishermen and divers. They use methods such as spearfishing, net fishing, and free diving to catch fish and other seafood.

What challenges do the Moken and Cham face in their way of life?

—The Moken and Cham face challenges such as the depletion of fish stocks and the encroachment of modern fishing practices. They also struggle with the loss of their traditional lands and the impact of climate change.

How do the Moken and Cham maintain their sense of community?

—Community is vital to the Moken and Cham. They support each other in their daily lives, take care of each other's children, and come together for important ceremonies and rituals.

What is the relationship between the Moken and Cham and the sea?

—The sea is central to the lives of the Moken and Cham. They rely on it for their livelihoods, food, and transportation. They have a deep spiritual connection with the sea and see it as their home.

00:38Introduction to the Moken and Cham, water nomadic peoples living on traditional boats.

10:05The Moken have been living in the Andaman Sea for over 4,000 years, migrating to the Mergui archipelago.

23:04The Cham people live on the Mekong River in Cambodia and rely on their canoe for their livelihoods.

30:27The Moken survived the 2004 tsunami thanks to their knowledge of the sea and warning signs.

34:37The Yu family in Cambodia faces the challenges of river fishing and the changing environment.

38:30Ngui and his family continue their life on the Kabang, the last remaining traditional boat.