The book chronicles the stories of the Moken in the Surin Archipelago Marine National Park in a documentary form with academic references related to various aspects of the Sea nomads, e.g., lifestyle, livelihood, society, traditions and beliefs. The book examines the sea nomads whose lives revolve around the Andaman Coast and who spend most of their lives on boats. Nowadays, they are settling more permanently along the coast or on islands. The sea nomads can be found in small seaside villages in Phang Nga Province and Marid Archipelago in Burma. Their lifestyle is in line with the monsoon season. When the sea is calm, they spend most of their time at sea, catching fishes and crustaceans. During the monsoon season, the group builds temporary shelters on the shores. Boats are an integral part of their lives and economy. Therefore, rituals are conducted to appease the boat spirits before they set out to sea. The sea nomads believe that a tree spirit resides in each boat. The Moken society is fundamentally kin-related, nuclear, monogamous and exogamous. Men and women are of equal importance and they get married at a young age. After marriage, couples set up nuclear families. A fleet of seven to ten boats sticks together when they set out to sea. Each fleet is headed by “Pa Tao”, the elderly figure who is in charge of the destiny of the members, acting as a shaman, medicine man, medium and guardian. The life expectancy of the sea nomads averages 28 years due to ailments related to water pressure while diving. When a person becomes sick, the medium would heal him/her and rituals are conducted in conjunction with the use of herbs. The tales and songs of the Sea Gypsies reflect their ethnic beliefs in supernatural power and their selection of life partners. Presently, the Moken have been forced to settle on the coast, causing conflicts with park officers. Their livelihood is now under the supervision of park officers.
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