The Badjao Tribe
Freediving is a popular sport today, where divers descend as deep as they can on a single breath.
The sport began as a dare in 1949, when an Italian named Raimondo Bucher dove 30 meters into the Gulf of Naples to prove to his friends that
he could hold his breath long enough to achieve the impossible. Witnessing this feat sparked a desire in others to break his record and dive
even deeper. Today, freediving competitions feature several disciplines,and the deepest dive on a single breath reached an astonishing 253.2
meters—requiring about 9 minutes of breath-holding!
For some, freediving isn’t just a recreational sport—it’s a way of life.
The Badjao tribe of Southeast Asia has been freediving for centuries. Often referred to as "Sea Gypsies," the Badjao people originated from Indonesia. Living on small houseboats, they traveled across the Celebes and Sulu Seas until the 1960s, when pirate activity forced them to settle on land.
The Badjao people can now be found in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Although they were forced to settle on land, these Sea Gypsies couldn't abandon the sea. They still live on houseboats, rely on fish for food, and trade pearls they collect from shells.
The Badjao tribe mastered freediving to fish and collect pearls, which are often found at depths of 10–70 meters. Spearing fish requires stealth and quick reflexes, while pearl collecting demands patience, as many shells must be opened to find a single pearl. To achieve profitable results, the Badjao people can stay underwater for an average of 13 minutes! Not only do they dive deep and hold their breath for extended periods, but they can also walk easily on the seafloor, moving with precision and speed.
Studies of the Badjao people have revealed that centuries of freediving have had a genetic impact on their bodies. Their spleens are 50% larger than those of land-dwelling tribes. This enlarged spleen, a trait also found in marine mammals, helps recycle more red blood cells. Since red blood cells are responsible for binding oxygen, having more of them means more oxygen is stored in the body. For freedivers, this translates to the ability to hold their breath for longer periods.
Another study found that the Badjao people’s blood vessels and blood pH are also uniquely adapted to the underwater environment.
When freediving, a reflex known as the "mammalian reflex" slows blood flow, allowing the body to retain oxygen longer and prioritize its distribution to the heart and brain. The Badjao tribe’s specialized adaptation enhances this reflex, enabling them to stay underwater longer than most people.
With these genetic advantages and years of practice from a young age, the Badjao tribe has a body better adapted for freediving than even the record-holders in freediving competitions. However, due to piracy and commercial fishing, many Badjao are leaving their maritime lifestyle for life on land. If this trend continues, their remarkable sea adaptations could be lost within a few generations.
