I am touched when many of my friends from outside of Sabah always refer the Bajau Sama with the Kota Belud one. I am not mad or complaining why they are reacted like that. I am always correcting them that Sama peoples also lived along the West Coast of Sabah which are in Papar, Putatan, Petagas, Kota Kinabalu, Menggatal, Telipok, Tuaran, Kota Marudu and Kudat, not only in Kota Belud.
I am not racist in here. I am 'anak Sama' too even I am not origined from Kota Belud. The Sama peoples has their own glory history, an ethnic never feel stuck even though their have to face a lot of obstacles in life. Not so many people knows about Bajau Sama. Why I say so? Because when they talk about Sama, people always related this ethnic with KOTA BELUD, HORSE, CROWN COSTUME and WARRIOR.
I do some observation from some of Sama people who lived in Papar, Putatan and Petagas. Most of them dissapointed because this ethnic unwell known by the outsider even they live in suburban of the city. But I told them, the Sama has to unite, determine with the culture and sharing each other. They says that 'how can we unite, even some of the Sama people never helping each other to promote us who live outside the Kota Belud..' I am stuck.
This is mainly referred to Sama in Kota Belud, not the others Sama in West Coast of Sabah. (they said, not me)
Some of Sama people outside from Kota Belud said that this costume is just belong to the Sama Kota Belud not the entire Sama. Because Sama from outside Kota Belud has their costume a little bit differ from this one. They said, Sama from outside Kota Belud very rare riding horse, so how come the horse is become the trademark to this ethnic? I am confuse. I went to another Sama in Papar, they said the same things.
A Short History......
Some scholars agreed that Sama is a Aestro Malay but some says they are Polynesia Malay. I am not the researcher but I still want to find the right answers for this mystery. Whatever they say, I recognized that Sama was come from Malay Archipelago and Bajau Sama is a Malay. Why? Because most of them has quite similar culture with the Malay in Indonesia and Malaysia even the language is much differ with the Malay. Actually there a lot of hidden facts and history with this people but I am sad when certain parties always hide it for their politics interest.
The theory says that they are come from Bali island in Indonesia, but some says from Kediri in Java. The latest facts is about 30 years ago stated that their come from Malacca, Johor and Kelantan. Oh my gosh! Which one??
This is Balinese ladies. Are they the Sama's maiden because they are wearing the 'kemban' and put the crown on their head like 'serempak'?
Yes, in Malacca the Sama was an sea army for the kingdom. It was proven when they help to defended the kingdom.So did in Johor. They was called 'orang laut' before the term 'Bajau' were created officially by the British in 18th century and the terms Bajau on that time is just for Sama not Bajau in the East Coast of Sabah. Not so many peoples know, the Sama played the important role to the old Kingdom of Brunei. What is that? I will tell you all next time.
Terms and recognition of Sama...
I think this is the time we have to let the peoples know about the Sama. Indeed, Sama is one of the Bajau sub-ethnics but I suggest the term 'Bajau' at the front of Sama word must be vanish. It just SAMA not BAJAU SAMA. People start to confused. When we said Bajau, they ask 'which Bajau? West Coast or East Coast..?' then the second question will be on the air 'Bajau Kota Belud??' (actually Sama lives along the West Coast m'am, not only in Kota Belud)
In the term of Sama too, the outsider always make a different. Bajau Kota Belud and other Sama. Why is it happen? I think the Sama must be unite, altogether build the identity. So the people will know that Sama is the one and only that not only in Kota Belud but along the West Coast. Please accept it because Sama is the second largest population in Sabah so do not make yourself shame with confusion!
STOP POLITICS INVOLVING YOUR ETHNIC, POLITICIAN!
Play your ROLE!!
Please, I am afraid our young people doesnt know about their own culture because of mix up with the politics philosophy carried by certain politicians who used the ethnic for their benefit. Stop it politician or I will FIGHT with you all!
