Updated on Tuesday, 17 April, 2018 05:00:54 PM

Regatta Lepa-Lepa > LEPA Water Festival 2007

 


 

Regatta Lepa Semporna 2007
 The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Gypsy in Sabah
20 - 22 April 2007
The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Bajau of Semporna 
14th REGATTA LEPA 2007
Venue : Bandar Baru II, Semporna
 

Winner

Winner of the most beautiful LEPA Boat in 2007
Winner of the most beautiful LEPA Boat in 2007
LEPA boat of Haji Biskai Bin Mastal

SELAMAT DATANG KE LEPA BISA HJ. BASKAI B. MASTAL

Semporna celebrates the annual Water Festival of Regatta Lepa every 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.


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.

Every year in April, the Sea Bajau communities from different islands off Sabah congregate along the Semporna waterfront to commemorate their sea-faring heritage and renew tribal acquaintances, in an atmosphere of merriment and friendly rivalry.





For three days the Bajau of Sabah celebrated their legendary sea prowess at the Regatta Lepa XIV. The "lepa".
A sea of gaily decorated and elaborately carved lepas line the Semporna waterfront with their occupants resplendent in traditional costumes. They vie for the coveted title as the most beautifully decorated boat.
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.
 


 

Lepa origin : 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 gipsy people

The Bajaus,  a bronzed-skinned nomadic seafaring people, living off the sea a distinctive lifestyle characterized by their hand made  LEPA boat.. They only come on land for food, water supply and funerals. For these Bajau people, Lepa Boats are multi utility. The boat serves as a fishing vessel and as a means of transportation. It is also utilized for wedding venues and cultural performances.
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