Coral Triangle of the


People


Known as the world’s epicentre of marine life, the Coral Triangle spans thousands of islands across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Within it lie parts


of Indonesia’s vast archipelago — a nation made up of more than 17,000 islands — where daily life remains closely intertwined with the ocean. At dawn,


fishing boats glide across glassy waters, nets brimming with the day’s catch for markets and neighbouring villages, while Bajau divers — often called


‘sea gypsies’ — slip beneath the surface, free-diving for octopus, shellfish and sea cucumbers. Inland, the sea’s influence persists: weavers echo the curves of waves in their textiles, carpenters craft boats and tools for life at sea and artisans practice techniques passed down through the generations.


WORDS & PHOTOGR APHY: LYNN GAI L


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NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL


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