18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Storm over the Gypsies Shacks

Sea gypsies or Bajau Laut are stateless people that do not belong to any country. Hence, they do not have any rights to education, healthcare or employment. They rely mainly on the ocean for their food and rain as drinking water. Situated off the shore of Sabah, Malaysia, one can see their rickety shacks built on the waters of Celebes sea. Most have never been on land.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2019
Date Uploaded: 09.2020
Photo Location: Malaysia
Copyright: © Callie Chee