THE SAMA IS AN ETHNOLINGGUISTIC group traditionally found in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

There are also Sama groups in Zamboanga del Sur, Cotabato, Davao, southern Palawan and Capul island in Samar.

Outside of the Philippines, there are Sama found in northeastern Borneo, Sulawesi and Moluccas and other parts of Indonesia. The Sama classify themselves as Sama Dilaut (Sama of the sea or laot), generally those on stilt houses above the water, and Sama Daleya or Delaya (Sama of the land or ilaya), those who have settled along the coast.

Outsiders have referred to them as Samal although they believe that this has a bad connotation. In their tradition Sama signifies group unity; the analogy they use for their origin is pehak or fish eggs.

Navigators
The livelihood of these Sama groups comes from the sea. They are acknowledged excellent shipbuilders and navigators.

A specialized group on Sibutu island is also highly regarded as wood carvers. The Sama are generally Muslims although most practice what may be known as folk Islam.

Based on language, the Yakan, Jama Mapun and Badjao are also Sama. Sama-Badjao speaking groups are believed to have come to the Philippines around 800 AD in the area around the Basilan strait, and then travelled southward.

The Yakan are land dwellers residing primarily on Basilan island and their main economic products are from the land: coconuts, cacao, corn, rice, sugarcane, rubber and cattle. They do not regard themselves as Sama. The Jama Mapun are found mainly on the island of Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi.

Houseboats
There are also Jama Mapun communities in Palawan and Borneo. The term Badjao was used by the Borneans and those from Sulawesi to refer to the Sama who live in houseboats or lepa.

The boat-building industry is found mainly on Sibutu island, formerly a part of the municipality of Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi.

Sibutu is some 20 miles southwest of Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi. Some 25 miles farther, one would reach Borneo. Sitangkai island is much smaller than Sibutu but it is the commercial center west of Bongao.

Both Bongao and Sitangkai have commercial ports. The wide river that leads to Sitangkai serves as the marketplace itself, with numerous stalls lining the banks. Other vendors sell their fish directly from the boats and the river is always busy with all sizes of boats entering and leaving the area.

Sibutu does not have a good port, being surrounded by coral reefs and sand bars. The island of Sibutu itself is a coral reef measuring 18.5 miles long and 2.25 miles wide. This geographic character makes Sibutu one of the best fishing grounds in the country. However, there is a very limited area for growing vegetables, although coconut trees abound.

The staple is fish and pyutu (made from cassava), or rice which comes from Sabah. Fishing and boat building are the main economic activities.