Bajaw language


Bajaw is the language of the Bajaw, widely known as the 'sea gypsies' of Maritime Southeast Asia. Differences exist between the language's varieties in western Sabah, Mapun in southern Philippines, eastern Sabah, and across Sulawesi to Maluku. However, it is not clear how many languages these would be based on mutual intelligibility.

Distribution

West Coast Bajau is distributed in the following locations of Sabah, Malaysia.
Indonesian Bajau is widely distributed throughout Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara. It is also located throughout Maluku Utara Province in the Bacan Islands, Obi Islands, Kayoa, and Sula Islands, which are located to the southwest of Halmahera Island.
Mapun is spoken on Cagayan de Sulu island, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines.

Population

Ethnologue lists the following population statistics for Bajaw.
Ethnologue lists the following Bajaw dialects. Locations and demographics are from Palleson.
Together, West Coast Bajau, Indonesian Bajau, and Mapun comprise a Borneo Coast Bajaw branch in Ethnologue.