Bintan Island as one of the centers of Malay civilization preserves numerous cultural gems in every corner. One of them is the Sea Gypsies or Orang Laut. Let's dive in and get to know more about the Sea Gypsies, one of the oldest tribes on Bintan Island.

The Origin of the Sea Gypsies

According to some studies, the Sea Gypsies or locally known as Orang Laut is an ethnic group who lives in boats wandering the waters of the surrounding Riau Islands Province, Indonesia, and the coast of South Johor, Malaysia. In many English works of literature, the Sea Gypsies are called by many different names including sea nomads, sea folk, and sea hunters and gatherers.

There are many versions regarding the origin of the Sea Gypsies, this includes the hypothesis of foreign and Indonesian researchers, also from folklore circulating among the Riau Islands' people. The Sea Gypsies of Riau Islands are estimated to emerge around 2500-1500 BC as a Proto-Malay (old Malay) nation that then spread to Sumatra via the Malacca Peninsula. 

Current Life

At Bintan Island, the population is spread across some locations, with the highest concentration in Panglong Village, Berakit. At first glance, the village doesn't look any different than any other traditional coastal village. But the residents of Panglong Village are known to be the direct descendants of the old Sea Gypsies who used to live as nomads on their sampan (small traditional boat). The Indonesian government built this tourism village and gave exclusive land ownership to the people of Sea Gypsies to entice them to return to land. With this effort, the government aims to improve the education and welfare of the Sea Gypsies.

Now, even after they settled in a permanent village, their life still revolves around the sea. Most of the Sea Gypsies populations now work as traditional fishermen and boat-maker. Some of them also take occasional jobs as a guide for fishing enthusiasts who visited the area.

If you are interested to know more about the Sea Gypsies and want to interact with them directly, Bintan Resorts Tour has the right tour package for you. By joining the Trail of the Sea Gypsies tour package, you'll be able to visit the traditional village of Panglong with our English-speaking guide and interact with the Sea Gypsies directly. You will also visit other interesting locations along the Trikora Coast.

Bintan Resorts Tour offers a wide variety of affordable tour packages around Bintan Island. Check the rest of our amazingly prepared tour packages by clicking here. With a 60-minute ferry ride from Singapore, Bintan Island offers a great combination of picturesque landscapes and exciting activities for you to enjoy. See you on Bintan Island!