What is sinama?

Sinama is a language spoken by the Sama people in the Philippines. It belongs to the Sama-Bajau subgroup of the Austronesian language family. Sinama is predominantly spoken in the southern parts of the country, particularly in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan. There are approximately 450,000 Sinama speakers, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the region. Sinama has a rich cultural heritage, with its own literature, music, and traditional practices. It is also the language used in Islamic religious teachings in the area. Despite its importance, Sinama is classified as an endangered language, with fewer younger generations learning it. However, there are efforts underway to promote and preserve the language, including the establishment of Sinama language classes and the publication of bilingual books and other educational materials.