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Regatta Lepa Semporna
The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Gypsy in Sabah

20 - 22 April 2007

The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Bajau of Semporna  20 - 22 April 2007

14th REGATTA LEPA 2007

Date : 20-22 April 2007

Venue : Bandar Baru II, Semporna

Semporna celebrates the annual Water Festival of Regatta Lepa in April. LEPA boat has been a significant part of the Sabah Bajau fishermen since immemorial time. The Regatta Lepa is an occasion to show-off all the beautifully built Lepas. The annual event's highlight is a competition to choose the most dazzling lepa.  Colorful adorned lepas grace the waterfront, decked with the smiling faces of dancers and musicians. 3 Days of exciting activities and cultural shows dazed the visitors.

Regatta Lepa is an annual gathering of the most skillful finishing boat builders in Sabah. The Bajau in Semporna have their yearly festival for remembering their old haritage.

In 2005's Regatta LEPA, one of the VIP was Australian government pensioner Dr Dale Staraughan, who came here to enjoy the uniqueness of the water festival.

"Last year (2004), while visiting Semporna, I saw the lepa for the first time and thought this kind of festival is not held anywhere else. So, I am back here this year,...Foreign tourists will love the ambience and uniqueness of this festival,"

 

 

In this festival the Bajaus from different village and different island will meet. And during the festive meeting they select the best lepa boat of the year.

During the 3 days. the  Bajau's show their lepa's with the different  style's with colorful lepa's. In each lepa is a group of musicians and a couple dancer.  The flotilla of colorful banners ridden lepas  will make a round infront of the VIP's and the judge's stage. The judges will give a point for their performence related to beautiful lepa's and the best dancer's.

RATU LEPA-14th 2007

Beauty Queen of  14th Regatta Lepa Semporna, 2007

The traditional Lepa-lepa boats were simply breathtaking – each one exquisitely adorned with fine carvings and decorated to the hilt with multi-coloured triangular sails.

For three days the Bajau of Sabah celebrated their legendary sea prowess at the Regatta Lepa XIV. The "lepa",

LEPA is a Bajau wooden boat with a design resembling a fish to allow smooth gliding over the waves, The boat is the pride of Sabah’s sea gypsies.

Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah officiated the regatta while Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor  attended the event.

How to get to Semporna...

  1. Express Bus
    From Kota Kinabalu to Semporna   Fares: RM58 Duration: 9 hours
     
  2. Daily Flights
    MAS - from KK to Tawau  Fares: *check with the nearest travel agents  Duration: 45 mins
     
  3. Taxi
    From Tawau to Semporna  Fares: RM80 - RM100  Duration: 1hr 45mins
     
  4. Mini Bus
    From Tawau to Semporna  Fares: RM12 - RM20  Duration: 1hr 45mins
 

Lepa origine : LEPA boat is believed to be originated from the Pa'alau Bajau people who live in Bum Bum Island and used by fishermen along the coast of Semporna.  The unique lifestyle and festival is a cultural legacy inherited by many generations.

Lepa boat which also serves as home of the jipsy people

 

Where to stay in Semporna ...
Seafest Hotel  Dragon Inn Resort

 

About Semporna : May 01, 2008 01:57:34 PM

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