VANISHING TRADITIONS: A CROSS-GENERATIONAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF MODERNITY AND DISPLACEMENT ON SAMA CULTURAL IDENTITY

The Sama Tribe of Samal Island, Davao del Norte, historically known as "sea nomads," is a distinct indigenous
community facing a critical existential crisis. This systematic review aims to identify the socio-environmental
variables contributing to the potential physical and cultural extinction of the tribe.
Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the study screened 67 records, ultimately synthesizing data from high-quality
reports that provide empirical evidence on tribal extinction. A rigorous filtration process assessed 50 reports for
eligibility, excluding 20 that lacked specific qualitative or quantitative data required for the study.
The synthesis reveals a state of "slow extinction" driven by a multi-dimensional crisis. Environmental degradation,
including overfishing and pollution, has decimated traditional fishing grounds, while climate change-induced sealevel rise threatens coastal settlements. These environmental pressures are compounded by physical displacement due
to mining, urbanization, and industrialization. Consequently, the tribe is forced into a marginalized market-based
economy, leading to "deculturation" where younger generations abandon traditional practices, language, and rituals in
favor of mainstream society.
The extinction of the Sama tribe is a two-pronged process involving physical displacement and cultural erasure. The
study recommends urgent interventions, including legal protections for ancestral domains, culturally sensitive
education, and the inclusion of the Sama people in local governance to preserve their unique heritage.