The 2010 Lepa Regatta

Lepa and lipau sapit traditional Bajau boats.

Popularized by the Samal and Bajau of Sulu are the “Lepa” (houseboats) and the “Sapit” both are used as houseboats.

The stern of the “Sapit” is fitted with a rudder while the Lepa is controlled by the paddle manually.

Like its bigger version, the kumpit , lepa shared the sea-faring history of the Bajao.

The Lepa reaches Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia with the stars and heavenly bodies as navigational guides.

The Kumpit is the symbol of the romantic Tausug life in the sea, while the Lepa, tells the romantic adventure of the Bajao and Sama .

Previously the tourists were only able to view the Lepa and Sapit but now they have the opportunity to be in these vessels.

Tourists can use the Lepa, that measures about 10 meters to sail to Tandu Bolong waters.

As for the 18-20 meter-long Sapit, it can be used to get to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Chairman of Carnival Organizing Committee : A.M Ibnu A.K Baba

LEPA the single-masked sailing boat of the Bajau people. The 2010 Lepa Regatta offered more color and excitement when compared to the previous years.

Among the first day events were LEPA competition, Sea Sports and Exhibition for the visitors.

The Bajau seafarers' proud maritime heritage comes alive this April where boats are decorated with brightly colored sails known as sambulayang and tapis (small triangular flags). The sleepy Semporna town comes to life as the colorful sails take to the sea to compete for the prize of the most beautiful lepa.

The highlight of the event is the sail-past of the Lepa, each boat decked with smiling dancers and lively musicians, hoping to be crowned `Most Beautiful Lepa' - the grand prize of this much-anticipated water festival. Every Lepa family has their own beautiful girl welcoming visitors with graceful igal-igal dance, a traditional dance of the Bajau.

Igal Igal is fondly known as the dance of the sea eagle. Performers are clad in highly elaborate traditional costumes which are very thrilling to the eyes.

Other attractions at Regatta Lepa 2010 include sea sports such as rowboat, sailing and kelleh-kelleh (small dugout boat) competitions, Lepa tug of war, and duck catching competition.

Lepa boat has been a significant part of the Sabah Bajau fishermen since time immemorial. The Regatta Lepa is an occasion to show off all the beautifully built Lepa boats. Again, the annual event's highlight is a competition to choose the most dazzling Lepa. Colorfully adorned Lepa boats grace the waterfront, decked with the smiling faces of dancers and musicians.

Regatta Lepa is an annual gathering of the most skillful fishing boat builders in Sabah. The Bajau in Semporna have their yearly festival for remembering their old heritage. In this festival the Bajaus from different villages and islands will meet. And during the festive meeting they select the best Lepa of the year.

In each lepa is a group of musicians and a couple dancers. The flotilla of colorful banners ridden Lepas will make a round in front of the VIPs and the judge's stage. The judges will give a point for their performance related to beautiful lepas and the best dancers.

The activities of Regatta Lepa celebration take place in two areas;

Waterfront : the traditional event showcasing the beautiful Lepa boats around the water front and
Town field : exhibitions events at the town field, where mini-village featuring traditional huts are on display. At night, visitors will be entertained by singers, dancers and musicians.

1st Day

2nd Day

3rd Day

23rd APRIL 2010
FRIDAY

24th APRIL 2010
SATURDAY

25th APRIL 2010
SUNDAY

SEA SPORTS AND BEAUTIFUL LEPA COMPETITION,
17TH SEMPORNA REGATTA LEPA 2010
(QUALIFYING ROUND)

The ceremony was officiated by the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.

7:15am – 11:30am Sea Sports qualifying round

10:am – 11:30am OFFICIATING CEREMONY OF JETTY TERMINAL & SEMPORNA TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE (TJIC)

OFFICIATING BORNEO SEMPORNA PROBOSCIS RIVER CRUISE
http://realadventures.com

& LEPA AND SAPPIT EMBARKATION SPONSORED BY SABAH HANDICRAFTS

2:00pm – 5:00pm

Officiating ceremony of Borneo Semporna Proboscis River Cruise at Kg. Tonggulangan, Semporna

MAGLAMI-LAMI NIGHT Venue: Behind Seafest Hotel

8:00pm Beautiful Lepa competition and Maglami-lami Night.

Morning Venue:
Behind Seafest Hotel

Sea Sports and Beautiful Lepa Parade

Prize giving ceremony to the Sea Sports and Beautiful Lepa winners

EVENING

Venue: Semporna Town Field (Evening)

Musical performance

Local cultural performances and performance by guest artist
Crowning of the 2010 Lepa Queen

Venue: Semporna Town Field (Morning)

7:00am – 5:00pm

Exhibition at the Semporna Town Field

CLOSING CEREMONY
Venue: Semporna Town Field (Evening)

7:15pm - 11:30pm

Performance by Pantarama- Department of Information

Programme :
regattalepa.sabahtourism.com

New tourism products in Semporna
Semporna Tourist Jetty and Information Centre

This 0.4 hectare jetty is located some half a kilometer from Semporna town. This building house the offices of tourism-related government agencies such as the Sabah Park and Marine Department.

All tourism operators in Semporna are located here.

The jetty has facilities like a wide parking area for vehicles, clean toilets, restaurant and cafeteria for the benefit of tourists.

Tourists on their way to visit the resort islands will make a stopover at the jetty before proceeding to their respective destination.

Borneo Semporna Probocsis Monkey River Cruise

In this year LEPA festival, a new tourism product Borneo Semporna Probocsis Monkey River Cruise at Tanggulangan, 15 km from Semporna town is introduced.

This package gives tourists the opportunities on a cruise along Sungai Pegagau for half an hour where they can view the Proboscis Monkey and mangrove jungles located on either side of the river.

Nature lover who love flying foxes can proceed to Pulau Mata Pahi 30 minutes boat ride from Semporna Town.

30,000-50,000 huge bats live on this 4.1-hectare island's mangrove jungles. This flying animal active time for watching is between 5.30 pm and 6.30pm.

The fireflies are also present on the island that has the potential to draw tourists to that location.


Regatta Lepa 15	Regatta Lepa 16	Regatta Lepa 17	Regatta Lepa 18
2008	2009	2010	2011