Updated on Saturday, 14 April, 2018 01:06:27 AM

SABAH > TAWAU DIVISION > SEMPORNA TOWN >  Regatta Lepa-Lepa > LEPA's Sambulayang

decoration music & dances tapis-tapis flags sambulayang sails

|  Islands of Sabah  |  Roach Reefs Resort |

LEPA's colourful sail  - The Sambulayang

Sambulayang - Bajau flag


A brightly colored sails.

The lepa are heavily decorated with colorful sambulayang in contrasting combinations of red and other bright colors.

Traditionally in red, white and black, the sambulayang is raised on special occasions and events like weddings and national day celebrations or to welcome State leaders.

A traditional flag of the Bajau people in Semporna Town, Malaysia. This flag used in special occasions such as Regatta LEPA, wedding ceremony, National Day or welcoming of VIP visitors. This decorative sails in shades of gold and reds and blues hang from a 5 to 7 meters tall T-framed mast topped with a ceremonial umbrella to symbolize sheltering of inhabitants from sun and rain.

Flags, banners and buntings are strung from the bowsprit and cross members from front to stern fluttering gaily in the breeze. Music blares and drums beat repeat a percussive rhythm. Island maidens dressed in embroidered finery sway to the strains of violins playing as they dance the Igal-Igal.

The most visible part of the LEPA is this sail.

Lepa Boat has two types of sails :
1) the bigger sail, ‘lamak bua’an’ (a type of fish called ‘Bebang’, has one concave end resembling a fish’s mouth)
2) The smaller sail is called ‘lamak kapis’ and is rectangular shaped.
 

The sails are colorful and made from medium weight cotton.
 

NAME OF BAJAU RACE BOAT:-

BIRUK The boat usually use for the sailing/destination. Most of the times, this kind of boat are used for business and trading with the neighbor country. The size of this boat usually is about 35-40 feet long and 20 feet width.
SAPPIT This boat is used for trading fire wood, mangrove/swamps wood and dried coconut from one district to another district. The size of this boat is about 30 feet long and 15 feet width.
LEPA The boat is used as a public transport from an island, or from one village to another village and sometimes it also carrying passengers from island to town. The size of this boat is around 15-20 feet long and 7 or 10 feet width. It is popular among the Bajau race in Semporna.
BOGGO This boat is used for fishing and catching fish. It can also be used as short distance transportation.

TYPE OF BAJAU FLAG:-


The Lepa-Lepa is distinguished by their sembulayang (sails) and their tapis-tapis (small flags). If an umbrella sits at the top of the sail, it indicates the status of the person on the boat, usually an important person in the community.
SAMBULAYANG A proud flag of the Bajau race in Semporna. Usually the flag will be used during special occasion such as Regatta Lepa, wedding ceremony, national day or when welcoming leader and minister.
SAMBILI
 		 One of the flag usually equipped or come along with the Sambulayang flag. Other than this, Sambulayang flag also consists of Salingguru flag and Tipas-tipas flag.