|
 |
Sakai |
 |
The Sakai is one of the jungle tribes that
is slowly becoming extinct. Most of the Sakai live in the
deep jungle on the border between the Phatthalung, Trang,
and Satun provinces, in the southern region of Thailand.
|
Living |
|
Hunting wildlife is the main task for their
survival in the jungle. A cyclindrical mouthpiece made from
bamboo stems and poison darts are the men's weapon for hunting.
Meals are unscheduled. They eat when they are hungry and survive
on foodstuff until they get it. They eat a root plant that
is similar to a potato.
|
Accommodation |
|
The Sakai live in the easily hand-made
shelters called "Tub." Tub are made from palm leaves
for structuring and are covered with banana leaves. The shape
looks like a hut without room space or a pillar. There is
just enough space under the roof for sleeping, cooking, and
a fireplace, which is ignited all the time since they are
afraid of the darkness. The shelters will be abandoned after
a lack of food supply, or when they make the decision that
their life is no longer safe there.
|
Main reason that they have to evacuate: |
|
|
1. Lack of food supply
2. Death of someone in the tribe
3.The strange behavior
of the Sakai during the evacuation: They initially
use the toilet in a location far away from the Tub.
However, they will eventually move closer and closer
to their home over a period of a month. Once they
reach the point nearest to the Tub, they will move.
Because the Sakai is an itinerant tribe, we cannot
specify where they are.
|
|
Clothes |
|
40 to 50 years ago, the Sakai used only one piece of red
cloth to cover their body. Now they have adapted, and wear
more modern clothing, like t-shirts.
|
Language |
|
Some of the Sakai can speak the southern local Thai language,
but most cannot write because they are not educated. Their
accent sounds similar to the Sea Gypsy or Malaysian language.
The government has tried education programs, but the Sakai
cannot accept the rules and behaviour adaptation.
|
