Mattia Panunzio, Bungin Island (DOCUMENTARY & STREET)

The Bajau people, also known as Sea Gypsies, are a Southeast Asian ethnic group known for their incredible diving skills and strong connection to the sea. Two centuries ago, a group of Bajau people arrived in Sumbawa, Indonesia, coming from the southern Philippines and Vietnam. At that time, Bungin Island, was just a sandbank located along the northern coast. They built very simple houses on this sandy area. However, as their population increased, they expanded the island by gathering coral to create foundations for houses on the lower parts of the nearby coral reef. With 3,500 residents on just 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of land, Bungin Island today stands out as the most densely populated of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands and one of the most densely populated islands of the world. Sea levels are steadily rising due to the increasing impacts of climate change, posing a growing threat to coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide. The Bajau tribe of Bungin Island could soon be in serious danger.

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