This article tells the story of the Moken people, a seafaring tribe in Thailand, who survived the devastating 2004 tsunami thanks to their traditional knowledge of the ocean. It also explores their changing way of life, moving from a nomadic existence to more settled communities on land.
Moken children walk in a village. Many children are of mixed Thai- Moken heritage now as more marry outside the community. But the local indigenous Moken people miraculously survived with almost no casualties among them. They had seen the waters recede abnormally from shore, and because of knowledge of the sea passed down by their ancestors, they knew a tsunami was coming. Many made their way inland towards higher ground, avoiding one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history.
Most Thais did not know about these seafaring nomads but after 2004, a lot of public attention was given to them, especially about their way of life and their understanding of the ocean. Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn even bestowed many members of the community with the surname “Klathale”, which means “the brave of the sea”.The indigenous Moken are among Thailand's nomadic seafaring tribes, collectively referred to as Chao Lay, or sea folks. They are scattered across islands on the coast of Thailand and Myanmar. While they escaped the tsunami unscathed, their homes did not. Entire villages were swept away in the disaster and many were left homeless. After the tragedy, charities and authorities descended on the Moken and other Chao Lay, helping to build houses and introducing them to a more land-based and less nomadic lifestyle.Traditionally, they lived on boats with fishing as a main source of food and income, only staying on land during the monsoon season. In recent decades, there has been a gradual shift in the Moken way of life, as more turn to permanent housing on land and work in bigger cities.Fang Klathale, a member of the Moken community, has called the ocean her home for most of her life. But now, at 96 years old, Fang is staying in mainland Thailand in order to be closer to medical service
Moken Tsunami Chao Lay Seafaring Cultural Adaptation
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