Preliminary Study of Unveiling

Bajau Foods Characteristics in

Papar, Sabah
Shalawati @salwa Ibrahim, Muhammad. Shahrim Abdul Karim, Steven Eric Krauss, and Jusang Bolong
Food 5, Faculty of Food Science & Technology
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 UPM, Serdang
Selangor
Email : ssalwaibrahim28@gmail.com.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

For generations the Bajaus have been consuming

and practicing their Bajau food (BF) without knowing
the characteristics of the foods.
The special and unique characteristic of these food
from other ethnic groups in Sabah are yet to be
discovered till today.
The sustainability of BF is crucial in preserving the
food identity for future generations.
One of the methods in preserving it is by learning
and comprehending what is the characteristics of BF
or what is meant by BF.
This study intended to explore and unveil the
characteristics of BF in Papar, Sabah.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Ethnic foods are defined as foods that portray

an image of the countrys culture
Foods originating locally in an area with respect
to the country, region, district or sub district.
when some ingredients and food preparation
represent an intrinsic part of the identity of
regional foods and by association with the
people who consume them.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Presently there is no publish data can be found

on characteristic of BF in Papar as well in Sabah
respectively.
It is not clear what can be considered as BF.
Therefore, this study served as an initial study in
identifying the characteristics of BF in Papar.
One of the important factors why this
preliminary is significant to be carried out is to
make sure Bajau people recognized their foods
through the identification of their food.
By knowing what is meant by BF, it will help to
educate them in appreciating, practicing as well

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Since there is restricted literatures related to BF

study, it is difficult to understand how the
Bajaus is accepting and perceived their food.
Thus preliminary study is needed to be
conducted in order to answer these questions.
The outcome from this preliminary study will
contribute to an actual study . In order to have
first sight into understanding BF, this
preliminary study is carried out using in-depth
interview using semi structured questions.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

There are about 3,206,742 people in Sabah.

Bajau represents 14% of the whole population.
They comprise of two distinct sub-communities, the
Bajau Darat (Land Bajau) and the Bajau Laut (Sea
Bajau).
Previous studies have identified the West Coast
Bajau community who is settling in Kota Kinabalu,
Tuaran, Kudat, Papar and Kota Belud is called the
Land Bajau
The East Coast Bajau community who is settling in
Semporna, Lahad Datu, Pulau Omadal, Pulau
Danawan and Pulau Bum Bum is known as the Sea
Bajau or Bajau Laut

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Papar is located 38.5 km from the capital city of Kota

Kinabalu.
Papar consists of an area of 2876 km per square
Papar located strategically in the center between
Kota Kinabalu in South and Labuan, Miri and Brunei
in a north.
The majority of Papar populations are Melayu Brunei
ethnic group.
Based on the population statistic of the year 2010

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

IINTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Bajau in Papar are different from other Bajau ethnic

in another part of Sabah.
Bajau Papar is different from Bajau in Kota Belud
and Tuaran or other Bajau from another part of
Sabah.
They are more fair skin compared to other Bajau.
The language, tones and culture especially in
weddings, the welcoming of a newborn baby,
leaving the sea ritual, death ceremony, ritual in
visiting neighbor are among the unique feature of
Bajau Papar.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

The respondents are Bajau people (Both parent

must be Bajau), born and lived in Papar for at
least 35 years of his/her life, male and female
who are born after Malaysia Independence Day
in the year 1957.
*Information regarding what is BF for them are
more authentic as compared to those who born
long after the Malaysia Independence Day.
An equal number of genders were to ensure
equal representation of gender since this is
only a preliminary study.
Every respondent were interviewed twice in
order to obtain rich and thick information. Data
analysis is done manually. Interviews were

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
The use of locally grown and fresh plants
ETHNIC FOOD
and vegetables
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
Method of cooking
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
The use of traditional utensil
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
Usage of ground spices during special
LOCATION OF THE
occasions
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE Minimal used of Coconut or coconut milk
STUDY
PROFILE OF
The importance of pickling to preserve
RESPONDENT
food
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Bajaus believed the concept of food from the freshest

source of their own backyard which is either planted by
themselves or grown wild in the forest.
They used fresh and locally grown vegetable in daily meal
consumption. They used edible leaves, roots, fruits and food
that are available in the forest near their house.
Informant

Answer

Male

Usually we get food from root of a plant like yam, tuber. Also from vegetable like a fruit
such as pumpkin, cucumber. Available food comes from plant and vegetable found around
the place where I lived. We make our own dried tamarind. No need to pay or buy since we
are very poor that time

Female

Sometimes I will follow my father to get the vegetable. Usually we go to the jungle near
our house. Food is fresh and free in the jungle. Leaves of young plant, fern and so on can
be eating as vegetable. Everyone tried to look for cheap food during that day.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

When cooking the fish, meat or chicken, Bajau people usually

adapt to the slow cooking method since they used wood to cook
or they used stove with gasoline.
The material of pot or pan used during cooking is the main
factor in determining the method of cooking used, since
stainless steel is not accessible during the time.
Informant

Answer

Male

Usually we cook fish with small fire until the water reduces to half or until it became dried. This will
make the fish last longer and the flavor is sealed inside the fish. Besides that, the pot we used made
from clay and it will not stand high heat and will break easily. Usually this food will last for at least a
week.

Female

We cook fish ampap braised style of cooking fish, if we manage to buy basung (selayang) fish. We
will add the fish with dried sour tamarind, salt, turmeric , chilies only. But in the 60s we cook this fish
with fish mix with salt and sour dried tamarind only. Sometimes my father caught the freshwater fish
near our paddy field.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

The used clay pot in cooking their daily food. This is due to the
inaccessibility of pot made of stainless steel during that time.
Copper is also can be found but it is a bit expensive.
They improvised by using clay instead. Cooking using clay pot
has made Bajau people become creative in making food for the
whole family. However the use of clay pot needs a certain style
since clay pot is not designed for long endurance and high
temperature of cooking.
Informant

Answer

Male

We used to cook with clay pot that we get from Chinese near the hill. They produce the vase,
and pot made of clay near their house. This clay pot doesnt have quality but cooking in clay
pot make it taste better

Female

Cooking in clay pot makes the food taste better and last longer. This clay pot however will
not last longer, it easily break

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

Since they believe to use fresh ingredient in cooking, it limits the

use of spice in their everyday dishes. The use of spices is only on
special occasions like wedding. When there are special guests,
they will then use spices to exhibit their cooking and to appreciate
the guest. However, the use of fresh turmeric and ginger is
common in their daily cooking
Informant

Answer

Male

Spices is consider luxury item. We cant afford to use or buy it. We use local herbs and
plant in cooking. We tried to use everything from our surrounding. We do not reject spices.
We will try to get spices for big occasion like wedding. Since spices cooks well with meat

Female

Is not common to use spices in daily cooking since it is not easily can be found, we have
to go to the market to get it. However market is too far and we need money to buy spices.
We do use spices when we cook for Hari Raya Celebration. Only for special occasion.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

One of the distinguishing features of BF is it rarely contains

coconut milk. The coconut milk plays minor role in Bajau dishes.
Bajau people only used coconut for few dishes or during special
occasion only. Coconut milk or grated coconut used mainly for
dessert.
The use of spices and coconut is also not common in BF since they
are becoming dependent on local and natural source. The
unviability of equipment to grate the coconut had also made it not
a choice in their daily cooking.
Informant

Answer

Male

Bajau people rear chickens near their house. This chicken is fed with the flesh of coconut as their
food. Instead using it for cooking. To get a coconut milk is tedious process since the need to have
grated equipment and the need to press it using hand. Bajau people dont use it regularly since
food will not last long. In the 60s hardly you found Bajau people that are fat and obese. But we do
used coconut during preparation of Lamban

Female

We only use coconut milk like we use our spices. Only few special dishes like LambanGlutinous rice cooked with coconut milk. Mostly coconut is used to make dessert.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF
ETHNIC FOOD
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
OUTCOME OF THE
STUDY
POPULATION OF THE
STUDY
LOCATION OF THE
STUDY
SAMPLING OF THE
STUDY
PROFILE OF
RESPONDENT
FINDINGS &
DISCUSSION

There are few dishes associated with Bajau people that were
invented from the process of pickling. Pickling is one of the ways
used to preserve their food.
Few pickling foods such as pickle bambangan (indigenous mango
with brown skin) or Mangifera Pajang, samu from Tarap or
Artocarpus odoratissimus or from jackfruit and daing pilak (type
salted fish) can be found throughout the month since pickling
enable them to preserve food that are seasonal.
Informant
Male

Answer
when there is a surplus of fruit like bambangan or fish my mum will make a pickled and put in
a Tajau ( Large vase made from clay with cover). Everybody will help in making this pickle and
it is last for a long time. She used salt and the seed of bambangan to ferment the bambangan.
It tastes better after it kept for certain time. Even skin of fruit we eat and make pickle like
samu ( skin from jackfruit). I dont think young generation has the chance to eat samu since
nobody makes it today. Now people buy everything. Life is easy now.

Female

that time life is very hard. We used everything we can get and make the best of it. Since food
are very valuable. We do not throw skin of fruit like jackfruit or tarap and we make samu. We
dont eat the skin but my mother or my grandmother removed the rough layer of jackfruit,
adds salt and kept this aside. After samu get fermented it become sour.

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