The Secret of Vanishing People Who Dive Underwater for 10 Minutes

The Bajau people, living in the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, have adapted to ocean life for centuries. An enlarged spleen allows them to hold their breath for up to 10 minutes and dive to depths over 70 meters. However, since the 1950s, borders and laws have restricted their nomadic lifestyle, and lack of citizenship creates problems. Today, only a few hundred families continue the traditional way of life but are gradually forced to move to land.

The article tells about the Bajau people, 'sea nomads,' inhabiting the coastal waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. For nearly a thousand years, they have lived on water, building houses on stilts or on boats. Their unique freediving ability is explained by an enlarged spleen, which is one and a half times larger than that of the neighboring Saluan people. Upon diving, the spleen releases additional red blood cells into the bloodstream, increasing the blood's oxygen capacity, similar to marine mammals. Seasoned divers can go without air for up to 10 minutes and dive to depths over 70 meters. Children learn to swim by age eight. Traditional activities include underwater hunting with a spear and collecting shellfish. Women use a protective paste made of turmeric and rice powder. However, since the 1950s, state borders and Malaysian legislation have limited their mobility, and lack of citizenship creates obstacles for work and education. Today, only a few hundred families in the vicinity of Semporna continue the traditional lifestyle, but resource depletion and bans on logging force them to move to land.