The Bajo Tribe: The Inspiring Culture that Influenced Avatar 2

Happy New Year! To kick off 2023, let's watch Avatar 2: Way of Water. This movie has been playing in theaters since mid-December 2022 and has been a hit with movie fans around the world, including in Indonesia.

It's not just the stunning Pandora Planet that's caught everyone's attention - it turns out that the Bajo Tribe that lives in the waters around Indonesia, mainly in the eastern part of the archipelago, had a big influence on the film as well!

If you met the Omaticaya Tribe in the previous film, who lived in the forest, in this sequel you'll meet the Metkayina Tribe. Their way of life is very close to the sea.

In an interview, director James Cameron said that he was inspired by "sea nomads" he saw in Indonesia who lived in floating homes and houses made of local vegetation. These references are very similar to the Bajo Tribe, which can be found in various regions in Indonesia.

The Bajo Tribe, also known as the Bajau, have long been known as skilled seafarers and wanderers of the sea. Traditionally, the Bajo people live a nomadic lifestyle and are often called "sea gypsies." The Bajo people also use boats as their home. They are skilled navigators and have a deep connection to the ocean.

In addition to their seafaring skills, the Bajo people are also renowned for their impressive diving abilities. It is said that they can dive for up to 13 minutes at a depth of 60 meters without any equipment, similar to the Na'vi in the Metkayina tribe.

This ability is not only developed through extensive training from a young age, but it is also believed to be a result of physiological adaptations passed down from their ancestors who lived their entire lives in the ocean.

Although there are now many Bajo tribes who have "settled" in coastal areas, their connection to the sea and their navigation skills have not necessarily faded.

You can witness their way of life firsthand by visiting various coastal villages in cities such as Sulawesi. As well as other cities such as NTT, Maluku, North Maluku, and the east coast of Kalimantan.

Four Coastal Villages in Indonesia Where the Bajo Tribe Resides

Torosiaje Village, a floating village in Gorontalo

It takes about 7 hours to travel from the center of Gorontalo City to Torosiaje Village in Pohuwato District. To get to the floating village, you'll need to rent a wooden boat and dock it at the wooden stilt houses belonging to the Bajo tribe that are located there.

There, you can find the uniqueness of the Bajo Tribe by seeing firsthand the house building whose foundation is only made of tree trunks. But it still stands firm and can accommodate a family to live in it. Usually, houses in this village have a height of three to five meters from sea level.

Togean Islands National Park, “Home” to Seafarers

The Togean Islands in Central Sulawesi may not be as well-known as Bunaken, but their underwater beauty should not be underestimated. These islands, which are part of the Tojo Una-una Regency, are also home to the Bajo Tribe, primarily on Papan Island.

To get to the Togean Islands, you can start your journey from the Port of Gorontalo or Palu and continue on to Ampana. Keep an eye on the ship schedule, as the ships do not operate every day. So it must really be adjusted to the ship's schedule.

A Glimpse of Life of the Bajo Mola People in Wakatobi

Kampung Bajo Mola is a floating village in Wakatobi, located on Wangi-Wangi Island in the Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

It is believed that the Bajo tribe has inhabited this area since the 1600’s. If you visit there, you will be presented with a panoramic view of stilt houses lined up neatly in the middle of the ocean. The houses only stand on coral reefs, with wood as the foundation.

Not only that, under each house, TRAC pals will also find ponds that are used for the cultivation of marine fauna such as fish, squid, shrimp, and the like.

Consider spending the night in one of the local houses to truly experience the lifestyle of the Bajo Tribe.

Traces of the Bajo Tribe in Kota Baru, South Kalimantan

The nomadic lifestyle of the Bajo tribe has led them to various parts of Indonesia, including Rampa Village in the Pulau Laut Utara District of the Kotabaru District in South Kalimantan.

The Bajau Samah tribe that lives in this village holds a big event called Selamatan Leut, a traditional party that incorporates local customs. To make your visit even more memorable, consider adjusting your travel schedule to coincide with the event.

Begins, consider inviting your loved ones to watch Avatar 2: Way of Water together. It's the perfect film to enjoy as a group. After that, plan a vacation together for 2023. You can revisit your favorite destinations or enter one of the 4 floating villages above where the Bajo tribe lives.

For a safe and comfortable vacation trip, always use car rental services from TRAC. TRAC is always ready to support your trip with optimal service quality. Not only car rental, TRAC also provides bus rental services spread across various cities in Indonesia.

Get the convenience of car rental and bus rental reservations from TRAC through the TRACtoGO application. This cool application can be downloaded through Google Playstore or Apple App Store, install it immediately and don't miss out on various attractive promos for car rental and bus rental. 

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