SABAH > TAWAU DIVISION > SEMPORNA TOWN > Regatta Lepa-Lepa > LEPA Water Festival 2008
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Regatta Lepa 2008
The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Gypsy in Sabah
18 - 20 April 2008 Semporna
Regatta Lepa-Lepa is an annual event in Semporna Town which celebrates the age-old Bajau tradition of boat-making. Semporna Town is home of the seafaring East Coast Bajaus who are known for boat craftsmanship.The lepa boat is a beautifully hand-made vessel which during celebrations, is adorned with a dramatic decorative sail - the sambulayang.
Since 1994, the Regatta Lepa-lepa has become a big tourist attraction in Sabah, with international tourists came just for the parade of these splendid boats...
The most beautiful lepa, local ethnic music and dance performances, beauty pageant and sea-sports activities are among the activities each year.
Regatta Lepa 2008
18 - 20/4/2008
Over 130 decorated boats begin a majestic sail past before the VIP panel of judges and then moor neatly along foreshores of the Anjung Lepa.
Of 130 over boats, only 15 qualify as genuine Lepa narrowed down to 7 vessels for the finals. These have beautiful wood carvings at the bowsprit jutting forward above and gliding below the waterling like an underwater spear.
Others modified with outboard motors may not qualify and do not mind. They're gathered here with the community to celebrate this important day for Sabah's Sea Bajau.
The Sea Bajau (Ubian or Sama Dilaut ) have been nomads of the Sulu Seas. A major maritime community migrating between Southern Philippines, North Sulawesi Indonesia and East Malaysia for hundreds of years.
Each group has unique language, culture and traditions. Their ancestors live
on handcrafted wooden LAPA houseboats averaging 2 meters width and 6 to 20
meters length.
They follow the tides and seasons, migrating from island to island as
subsistence fishermen, coming ashore only for firewood, fresh water or to
bury their dead.
Today's Sea Bajau have mainly settled on land in above the ground or above
the water homes on stilts, with thatched roofs. Some have moved further inland
to plant fruit and vegetable gardens while others are semi-nomadic.
They can live off the sea and unlike us, their lives are not yet so
completely intertwined with a money economy. They harvest clams, mussels,
sea cucumbers and sea weed which are sun dried to barter with mainlanders
for rice, clothing and other necessities.
The children can swim and dive like fishes and hold their breath for almost
5 minutes enabling them to spear fish underwater. Children follow the boat
and so most never ever go to school. Today, the inland, coastal and island
seafarer Bajaus make up 13.4% of Sabah's population and are counted as Orang
Asli - Original People with Bumiputra rights and privileges.
The Sabah State Library promotion of Free membership for school children is a roaring success with over 1000 new members registered each day.
Popular singers, comedians and dance troupes provide a continuous entertainment throughout the days and nights interrupted now and again by boisterous screams and applause for outstanding performers.
SEMPORNA TOWN WATER FRONT
The carnival was in full blast on Saturday. In the afternoon, you're drawn to the traditional Lepa by melodious sounding of kulintangan. 9 smaller kettle gongs and 3 much bigger hanging gongs accompanied by double-headed drums. Musicians play under roofed awnings while on the foredeck they dance the Igal-Igal.
The foreshores converted into fairgrounds is now chock-a-block with villagers and townsfolk dressed their best. Particularly noticeable are teenagers preening in fashionably colorful outfits. They all throng exhibitors tents promoting a multitude of life style options. From Malaysian Navy careers to Save the Planet causes. Heritage handicrafts are on show next to boat builders demonstrating ukkil wood carving skills. Artists from Peninsular Malaysia display their finest oil and water-color paintings while the Anti-Drug agency preaches against the horrors of dadah addiction.
60 year old Hj Aladin KK - Kampong Ketua or Village Chief of Pulau Omadal Utara built his boat named 'Lepa Asli' - 'Boat Original' with his own hands over a period of 5 months. Spent over RM5,000 on this hobby to put his village in the spotlight.
Brochures are flying off tables at the Sabah Tourism booth crowded with visitors, while another group of older people patiently queue up for foot reflexology by visually impaired society experts tweaking & kneading excruciaitng aches from tired bones.
In fact, the mix of public and private sector participants generate a carnival atmosphere with music playing and crowds swamping the stalls for food and games.
The Semporna Stadium lies next to the Anjung Lepa and here, 30 Bajau traditional houses were erected to showcase Bajau culture that included traditional dance and music, food, costume and art deco during the day.
This Saturday night, its a fairyland of lights. Locals and visitors from Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan fill the spectator stands to overflowing. Performers in the hundreds line the grounds around a huge stage while music and announcements blare forth.
The most important personalities in Sabah are all in attendance as Head of State Tun Hj Ahmadshah Abdullah launched the festivities flanked by Chief Minister Dato' Seri Musa Hj Aman and an entourage of Federal and State Ministers.
The Grand Finale was a glorious fireworks display at midnight that rocked the town and could be seen from miles away.
The annual event's highlight is a competition to choose the most dazzling lepa boat. Colorful adorned lepas decked with the smiling faces of dancers and musicians.Dressed in traditional finery reflecting the splendor and spectrum of Sarah's rich tribal cultures.
We can easily identify the Bajau Tribal from the head gear as well as the patterns and colors of garments.
15th Regatta
Lepa 2018
The Annual Water Festival of the Sea Bajau of Semporna
Date: 18 - 20 April 2008
Organizer : District Office of Semporna / Sri Pelancongan Sabah
Contact Person : Jaafar Haji Ismail / Zachary S. Mobijohn
Telephone : +6089 781518, 232121
Fax : +6089 781472, 265540
Email Contact : zachary@sabahtourism.com
Venue : Bandar Baru II, Semporna
The winner of the most beautiful LEPA for 2008 came from Kampung Tampi-Tampi.
On 20th April 2008, Mr. Maman Indang of Kg Tampi-Tampi was crowned the new Lepa King for winning the most beautiful Lepa in 2008
The winning prizes were presented by Sabah Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah that day.
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.
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 village and different island will meet. And during the festive meeting they select the best lepa boat of the year.
During the 2 to 3 days. the Bajau's show their lepa's with the different style's and color. In each lepa is a group of musicians and a couple dancer. The flotilla of colorful banners ridden lepas will make a round in front of the VIP's and the judge's stage. The judges will give a point for their performance related to beautiful lepa's and the best dancer's.
The activities of Regatta Lepa-lepa celebration were in two areas; the traditional event showcasing the beautiful lepa-lepa boats around the water front and exhibitions events at the town padang, where mini-village comprising of traditional huts were on display.
The Lepa Regatta Beauty Queen contest was well received.
RATU LEPA-15th 2008
Beauty Queen of 15th Regatta Lepa Semporna, 2008
Runnerup RATU LEPA-15th 2008
Runnerup Beauty Queen of 15th Regatta Lepa Semporna, 2008 Miss Nasatia
Natang