Kabalutan, home of sailors

Kabalutan, home of sailors

Misa Daya Misa Bombang, Silengga-lengga na Bido (there is neither wind nor storm but the boat keeps swaying). This is a very popular saying in Kabalutan, a village in Walea Kepulauan district, Tojo Una-Una regency.

Kabalutan is populated by 2,017 people, who are Bajau (read: Bajo) descendants and who are renown as excellent seamen.

Since time immemorial, the islanders have made the sea their main source of livelihood. Their homes are also on the sea. Furthermore, husbands and wives prefer to have sex on a boat, which accounts for the popularity of the Misa Daya saying.

As the islanders rely so greatly on the sea, even newborn babes must be immediately introduced to it. It is no surprise to see seven-year-old children swimming skillfully, as well as diving, rowing and fishing.

Even the homes of the islanders are built on the sea. These houses, made of wood with several supporting beams being planted into the seabed in the shallows, are usually occupied by between 3-4 families.

To support themselves, the islanders not only catch fish like other fishermen do, but they also breed export-quality fish like groper, sunu, Napoleon fish and other species. These fish are bred under their stilt houses.

Fish seedlings are easy to find. Millions of fish live underneath their houses and under the wooden bridges that join houses in this village. Locals only have to net them and put them into their fishing net. When the fish get bigger, they are sold.

Nur Irma, one of the housewives in this village, said that buyers usually came from Palu, Gorontalo, Manado and Kalimantan. A kilogram of fish is sold for between Rp 150,000 and Rp 350,000, depending on the species. --JP