The Austronesian-speaking Sama peoplese make up one of the most widespread cultural groups within the Southeast Asian island world. The so-called sea-nomadic Sama Dilaut, part of the linguistic sub-group of the Sama-Bajau, form a very distinct community both socially and culturally. The performing arts are a crucial part of their life and cultural identity. Yet, previous studies of Sama Dilaut societies have hardly touched upon their music or dance forms. The volume “Oceans of Sound: Sama Dilaut Performing Art (2012), edited by Birgit Abels with Hanafi Hussin and Matthew Santamaria attempts to close this gap in our knowledge.