Moken

The Moken (Sometimes called "Sea Gypsies") are an ethnic group with about 2000 to 3000 members who maintain a nomadic, sea-based culture. Their language does not resemble any other and likely immigrated to the Myanmar and Thailand areas from China 4000 years ago. The group is unrelated to the Gypsy culture of Eurasia.

Their knowledge of the sea enables them to live off its organisms by using simple tools such as nets and spears to forage for food. What is not consumed is dried atop their boats, then used for trade at local markets for other necessities. During the monsoon season, they build additional boats while occupying temporary huts.

The Burmese and Thai governments have made attempts at assimilating the people into their own culture, but these efforts have failed. The Thai Moken have permanently settled in villages located on two islands: Phuket and Phi Phi.

The Moken during the Southeast Asia Tsunami

Those islands received much media attention in 2005 during the Southeast Asia Tsunami, where hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in the disaster.

The Moken's knowledge of the sea managed to spare all but one of their lives – one of an elderly, handicapped man. However, their settlements and about one-fifth of their boats were destroyed.

External links

• Moken: Sea Gypsies @ National Geographic (Subscription Required)
• Moken: Sea Gypsies @ National Geographic (Tsunami Extra)
• Phuket Magazine: The Moken – Traditional Sea Gypsies
• ProjectMaje.org – Burma "Sea Gypsies" Compendium