The Moken: Gypsies of the Sea --- evolving to Mer?

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Photographer Sofie Olsen traveled to the Surin Islands in Thailand to document the Moken people's nomadic sea culture and way of life. (Sofie Olsen)


The Moken: Gypsies of the Sea (PHOTOS)

By: Stephanie Valera
Published: July 28, 2013
http://www.wunderground.com/news/moken-gypsies-sea-photos-20130724

They roam the sea most of their lives, living in handcrafted boats and diving for food into depths of 75 feet without scuba gear or masks. They're so familiar with the seas they've lived on for hundreds of years, that researchers found that their children have underwater vision twice as sharp as their European counterparts, according to National Geographic. They're so aware of the sea that they knew that the devastating 2004 tsunami was coming and were able to emerge from the disaster unscathed, according to the New York Times. Among the cultures of the world, the Moken of Myanmar and Thailand are one of the least touched by modern civilization, and one of the most fascinating.
As part of the initiative Project Moken, photographer Sofie Olsen visited and lived with the Moken people in Thailand's Surin Islands to document their nomadic sea culture. The result, as seen in her images above, is an incredible glimpse into their unique way of life.
"I was fascinated with their ancient nomadic culture, their exceptional knowledge about the ocean and marine life," Olsen told Weather.com. "The ocean is often something we experience as a vast, endless surface, where we trawl up our perceivable unlimited source of food and whatever we dump in it seems to disappear. Going beneath that surface together with the Moken may make us remember that the ocean is a significant part of this planet. They live with their surroundings, only taking out what they need every day, learn how to swim before they can walk."
Photographing expert divers and master fishermen like the Moken people meant Olsen had to adapt to life in the sea, not unlike her subjects. "As a photographer, one has no choice but to follow one’s subjects into any situation, so I had to advance my skills underwater to continue shooting ... I learned scuba diving, which was incredible," she said. "The feeling of weightlessness must be the closest I will ever get to fly -- it’s a magical sensation."
Founded by a team of filmmakers and designers whose main objective is to inspire and generate enthusiasm about the Moken sea nomads, Project Moken works toward increasing awareness about the 3,500-year old Moken lifestyle through films, interactive productions and eco tourism.
Preserving the Moken's aquatic-based culture, knowledge and traditions and presenting them to a general audience are two things that Olsen passionately believes in. "I believe they have something to offer us, not only in terms of showing us where we all may have come from, but also teaching us the value of living as one with our surroundings," she said.
To see more of Sofie Olsen's work, visit her website.