Vdo: Special On Sea Gypsies At Ko Lanta Island

[NBT TV Phuket]

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1024

Images of fishermen throwing nets, catching fish and taking their boats out to the Andaman Sea, is a local custom for the local ‘Thai Mai’ fishermen of Baan Thai ‘Urak Lawoi’, in ‘Sang-Ka-Uh’ community at Moo 6 Lanta Yai district, Koh Lanta island province in Krabi. These images of fishermen are still to be seen these days, as well as their equipment for fishing which they hang under the space of their Thai traditional houses, which reflect the local customs which they inherited from their ancestors. Pracha Talaeluerk, the head chief of ‘Sang-ka-uh’ community told us about the daily routines of the fishermen in the village. He said that ‘Thai Mai’ or the sea gypsy fishermen will take charge of responsibility in fishing for their households. Women walk along the beaches or shores to collects shells, crabs or sometimes fish for extra income into the household. Unfortunately, with the increasing number of economic issues, some fishermen and families who are struggling to make ends meet, have to make extra efforts by taking an extra jobs such as builders but they do not throw away their knowledge and skills of fishing which they had developed since there were little. “The Village is a small community with many fishermen who go into the sea and search for shrimps and fish but some of them had taken an extra job as builders. We are called Urak-Lawoi."

According to some reports, ‘Thai Mai ‘Urak Lawoi’ in ‘Sang-ka-uh’ community, is the first tribe of sea gypsies that migrated from Malaysia and Indonesia and relocated themselves in the southern part of Lanta Island for the past 100 years. They have lived a very simple way of life, traditions, culture and also have their own language and dialect. “Urak-Lawoi people have cultures and tradition. They have dances and ritual to worship spirits”. ‘Sang-Ka-Uh communities which have ‘Urak Lawoi’ sea gypsies as members of community, is an ancient community surrounded by beautiful serenity and views of the Lanta Island. The villagers in the community are helping to conserve the environments on the island. They also pay attention to their art and cultural identity such as ‘float vessel’ rituals in order to ask for forgiveness and pay respect to their mother nature and their ancestors. They also practice their folklore dances such as ‘Rong-Ngeng’ dances and other local dances for outsiders to come inside the village and experience the unique customary culture of the ‘Urak Lawoi’ sea gypsies in Lanta, Krabi. This is Zenniesha, reporting for Andaman News.

Special Report for Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Tuesday 17 March 2009 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews