The West Coast Bajau of Sabah, Malaysia belong to a cluster of peoples related culturally and linguistically, generally known to outsiders by the name of 'Bajau' or its variants (e.g., Badjaw, Badjao, Bajao, Bajo). The Bajau peoples most commonly refer to themselves as Sama. Their total number has been estimated at 750,000 to 900,000 . They are dispersed widely across the coasts and islands of the Sulu Archipelago, Borneo, and eastern Indonesia. The Bajau have traditionally been known as sea-nomads, involved in extensive maritime trading and dwelling in boats. However, the great majority of Bajau are now sedentary house dwellers . While some such Bajau continue to derive their livelihood primarily from the sea, others have adopted an agrarian way of life.

In Sabah, there are two groups of Bajau, the West Coast Bajau and the East Coast Bajau. The dichotomy of land versus sea orientation is readily observed in these two groups. The West Coast Bajau, settled slightly inland along the western and northern coasts, have become proficient in rice cultivation and livestock rearing, whereas the East Coast Bajau, settled along Sabah's east coast and particularly in Semporna, are more sea-orientated. The distinction between the West and East Coast Bajau extends beyond the land/sea orientation. Intelligibility testing has confirmed that the West Coast Bajau and East Coast Bajau speak separate languages 

 Bajau groups had reached Southern Sulu and the northeast coast of Borneo. Origin myths among the Bajau themselves suggest a more recent arrival to the Sulu Archipelago which would put the time of their arrival at sometime in the late 14th century. Although it is not certain when the West Coast Bajau initially settled in Kota Belud, their presence here has been documented since Spencer St. John wrote about them in the 1850's and 1860's.

Badu             Brightly coloured satiny blouse, usually green, with flared sleeves showing cuffs of underblouse in contrasting hue. The flared sleeves are two inches longer than the out-stretched arms and hands. Used for weddings. Betawi buttons in front, sometimes also on the sleeves.

Suar             Trousers made of similar material in contrasting colour and red trimming. Black for weddings.

Tanjak         Headdress of folded kain dastar (used for weddings). Podong, used by horseman.

Ingkot Pangkat    Silver coin belt with a wide buckle with an attachment called supu which is a round silver Bajau cigarette case.

Selendang    Sash tied around the waist.

Except for boat-nomadic groups, every parish is served by a set of mosque officials. These include an imam, who leads parish members in prayer; a  bilal, who performs the call to prayer; and a  hatib, who gives the Friday mosque reading. The imam also officiates at life-crisis rituals, counsels parish members in religious and legal matters, and leads them in prayer during minor rites of thanksgiving. In times of misfortune or crises, other religious practitioners may also be consulted, including midwives, herbalist-curers, spirit mediums, and diviners.

mandapun         
- Flat cloth-covered collar-ornament accentuating the neckline decorated with leaves in silver or goldleaf.

sarempak 
- Two-piece head decoration in the shape of a ship made of silver or gold. Small ornaments dangling down from both ends are called garigai. The ornament is fitted around the hairbun on top of the head, three fingers away from the hairline.

subang         
- ear pendants.

keku             
- Long tapered, gold, silver or brass fingercovers worn by the bride.