Tribe in Philippines with 'genetic mutation' can spend up to 5 hours a day underwater
Dubbed the "fish-men," the Badjao tribe in the Tawi-Tawi province of the Philippines has mastered the art of free diving over generations. They can hold their breath for exceptionally long periods, showcasing their incredible diving skills.?Santarawi Lalisan, an elder from the tribe told Giuseppe from Project Happiness that free-diving is a huge part of their culture and livelihood, so much so, that children in the community are taught to swim almost as soon as they are born, according to Daily Star. Here's all you need to know.
How long can people from this tribe hold their breath?
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They can do for about 30 to 90 seconds, far longer than the average human, and without any training, researchers studying the tribe found. They also end up spending up to five hours underwater.
85-year-old Santarawi Lalisantold Giuseppe from Project Happiness how he was once able to hold his breath for nearly 10 minutes. "I am a champion in Tawi Tawi, in my time I lasted eight minutes underwater, now I can last a maximum of five minutes," he added.
The reason behind this amazing human feat is nothing short of fascinating: a genetic mutation in the spleen, which means their blood holds more oxygen. Life in the water and water boats gave them amazing swimming abilities and a powerful lung capacity to match. Today, they're able to hunt with spears underwater for however long the air in their lungs lasts.
Why is the tribe slowly disappearing?
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The Badjao village is built above water with homes resting on tall wooden stilts. Bridges made of bamboo and driftwood connect the different sections and houses on the carefully crafted structure. But now, plastic litter is contaminating the water, and one reason for this, as one villager revealed, is that some village members are leading a more Western life and slowly letting go of the traditional lifestyle. One such major lifestyle switch includes moving from paper to plastic.
"A lot of plastic has arrived here because today the Badjao go to the supermarket and here they use plastic and no longer paper. In the past, the Badjao only used paper when they were buying something," he said.?
Where did they learn to go underwater fishing with spears?
This is one life skill that has been passed down for generations. Lalisan, who like all the others goes underwater fishing with handmade wooden goggles fitted with lenses from broken glass and a spear, was taught by his father: "He taught me that whatever happens underwater, I have to resist and hold my breath no matter what. In my head, I always wonder if I'll make it back up. Then I trust in God and may he give me my life back once I return to the surface."
Another villager added, "This is why when we go fishing it is a sacred moment for us because it connects us to our ancestors."
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