The life of the Moken Sea nomads

The Moken Sea nomadic community lives on the Surin archipelago between Myanmar and Thailand. They lived on traditional Kabang boats, and moved only to temporary beach huts for months of monsoon and rough seas.

The only source of income based on hunting gatherings, the Moken Sea Nomads are knowledgeable about the ocean and marine life. It is the result of being born, growing and living among the vast waves of the community that currently has about 2000-3,000 people.

Livelihoods rely heavily on marine resources, Moken's skilled divers can dive to a depth of 20m (65ft) for several minutes while taking down a fish or collecting sea cucumbers. Their indispensable weapons are spears to accurately pierce the swimming creatures. Long-term underwater diving also trains the Moken people to adapt their eyes to the saline liquid environment. So they usually don't have to wear eye protection, or just wear a pair of normal protective goggles.

The small Moken person in the ocean

The Moken's indispensable weapons are spears to accurately pierce the swimming creatures

The Moken Sea Nomads are confident to live on their knowledge of the ocean and marine life

Coral reefs with growing ecosystems are places where fishes prefer to stay at their feet, and the Moken use this trick to trap fish. They used a rope tied with leaves, brought down to a depth of 70 - 80 meters from the sea surface, then slowly pulled the rope up close to the water surface to easily kill the fish.

Under weightless conditions, the Moken nomads can float on the surface of the water, but they have their own secret to balance to be able to hunt animals like on the ground. Living in the sea for centuries, they are now supported by the government to settle on land, as well as to participate in the economy of onshore residents. That's why many Moken people now move to shore. Only a few families are still living on boats, catching seafood by manual methods. Women pick up shellfish on the beach at low tide. However, compared to the early days, they used canvas to replace the roof of the palm, the engine was powered by a machine instead of a sail.

Moken's professional divers can dive to a depth of 20m (65ft) in minutes

Long-term underwater diving also trains the Moken people to adapt their eyes to the saline liquid environment

Coral reefs with growing ecosystems are places where fishes prefer to stay at their feet, and the Moken use this trick to trap fish.

During the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the Moken saved many lives. Based on traditional experiences, they let boats dock in a safe place when they see signs of strange signs. After this upheaval, some households also moved to beach huts to live. Along with the penetration of Western culture, especially through young members, the Moken Sea nomadic community is influenced by many external factors, after thousands of years of isolation. The Moken Sea nomadic community gradually narrowed, but attracted many tourists to explore.

A group of filmmakers and designers formed a project called Moken to this community, in order to record their image, while raising awareness of the lives of the Moken people. The photos were taken by Norwegian photographer Sofie Olsen, a project member.

The mainland house of a Moken household