The Sama - Who are they?

The Sama of the Philippines are traditionally around the Sulu Archipelago; although the northernmost Sama community, the Abaknons, can be found in the areas of Samar and Leyte.

Linguists and language researchers have conveniently lumped all Philippine Sama under three (3) broad categories:

1. The southern Sama of Tawi-Tawi
2. The central Sama of Siasi and Laminusa
3. The northern Sama of Pangutaran

However, upon closer scrutiny, the Sama of Tawi-Tawi are very diversified too, falling into the following sub-categories:

1. The Sama of Sibutu and Sitangkai Islands
2. The Sama of Simunul and Nusa Islands
3. The Sama of Kapoan (Sapa-Sapa, Tandubas, Bellatan and Balimbing, South Ubian and Northern region of Mainland Tawi-Tawi)
4. The Sama of Buan (Boan) Island in Panglima Sugala are Sama Bangingi

Similar sub-categorization can also be undertaken for the Central and Northern Sama.

Researches on Bangingi (in progress)

Research Texts (Culture and History)
Eunice Diment, "Sama Bangingi", in Comparative Austronesian Dictionary: An Introduction to Austronesian ..., Part 1

Research Texts (Health)

Hakim, Dreiza M, (2006) “Health Seeking Behavior ofthe Sama Bangingi in Manalipa and Tigtabun, Zamboanga City”

Research Texts (Language)

Blakely, John (2001), “Functions of demonstratives in Sama Bangingi' expository discourse” 

Gault, JoAnn Marie (1986), "Focal content in Sama Bangingi narrative discourse"Gault, JoAnn Marie (2003), "Pronouns in Sama Bangingi' hortatory discourse"

Why Bangingi Studies

I have a personal interest in Bangingi Studies (BS) being descended from one. Thus on a personal level, this blog is a journey of discovery into my Bangingi past.

In history, Bangingi represents the only group in the Sulu Archipelago that is openly acceptable across ethno-linguistic groups. Is this partly because, Bangingi has served well as the navy of the maritime Sultanate of Sulu?

We are labelled the "Moro pirates" and all its negative connotation by the Spaniards; and "privateers" in the service of the Sulu sultan. There are more to the Bangingi than these. What is their history, culture, heritage and so on?