Kemeriahan Festival Regatta Lepa

This video shows the joy of Regatta Lepa celebrations in Sabah.
Credit by Astro Awani

Activities & Musical Instrument

COSTUME REGATTA LEPA

PRACTICE SURVEY REGATTA LEPA

SLIDE REGATTA LEPA SONG

History of Regatta Lepa

SLIDE BOAT LEPA

ARTICLE BOAT LEPA

HISTORY OF LEPA BOAT

Lepa, also known as lipa or lepa-lepa, are indigenous ships of the Sama-Bajau people in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They were traditionally used as houseboats by the seagoing Sama Dilaut. Since most Sama have abandoned exclusive sea-living, modern lepa are instead used as fishing boats and cargo vessels.

Lepa are medium-sized boats, usually averaging at 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) in length, and around 5 to 7 ft (1.5 to 2.1 m) in width; with the hull averaging at 5 ft (1.5 m) in height. Very large lepa are known as kumpit. They can reach lengths of 50 to 120 ft (15 to 37 m) and are most often used as trade ships.[2] Lepa fitted with rudders instead of traditional steering oars are known as sapit (or sappit). Small one or two-person canoe-like variants of the lepa used exclusively in shallow water are known as buggoh (also boggo', buggoh jungalan or buggoh-buggoh). A buggoh is often towed by a family lepa. Lepa can also be used as a generic term for "boat" in the various Sama-Bajau groups; the vinta, for example, is also known as lepa-lepa. Lepa nowadays are increasingly being replaced by motor-powered outrigger canoes, the pambot ("pump boat")

WWF Malaysia kicks off Regatta Lepa water festival in Samporna

KOTA KINABALU: The laughter of some 100 children and their parents were among the distinctive “music” which could be heard during the annual Regatta Lepa water festival in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.

The children and their parents were seen working together to solve puzzles and playing other games regarding environment protection in conjunction with the water festival.

Organised mainly by the World Wild Fund for Nature Malaysia – WWF Malaysia – the event held from April 26 – 28 not only allowed participating children to enjoy the games and activities but also learn more about conservation.

Together with volunteers from Green Semporna, the national conservation organisation engaged the children in activities including “Ninja Sea Turtles” that showcased the lifecycle of sea turtles, a matching game to identify terrestrial and marine creatures according to their environment.

“It is important for the local community, particularly children to understand marine life specifically coral reef and turtles,” she said.

Jumin said sustainable development and protection of natural treasures in Semporna is crucial as the area features the largest coral reef concentration in Malaysia, which is a valuable resource for fisheries and tourism.

“The dependency of Malaysia on fisheries and other coral reef resources has increased over time.

“However, 97% of reefs in Malaysia are under threats of over fishing including destructive fishing, land-based pollution and unsustainable tourism development,” she added.

Jumin said statistics from the tourism ministry showed that there was over 2.88 million tourist arrival to Sabah in 2012.

“This shows the value of tourism as a key income resource as well as highlights the need to focus on sustainable tourism and environmental conservation,” she explained.

The annual Regatta Lepa is held to celebrate the heritage and culture of the people in Semporna, especially the Bajau Laut (or sea gypsies).

Sabah assemblyman calls for campaign to revive popularity of Regatta Lepa

Sabah assemblyman calls for campaign to revive popularity of Regatta Lepa

November 20, 2017 @ 8:10pm

KOTA KINABALU: An assemblyman here has called upon the state legislative assembly to help ensure that the Regatta Lepa does not lose its significance in Sabah.

The festival, held annually in Semporna, pays homage to the lepa – a traditional single-mast sailing boat of the state’s Bajau community.

There is concern among certain quarters that the event’s popularity is fading – as such, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran (BN-Senallang), when debating the 2018 state budget on Monday, said it was time to review the programme’s content before it loses its appeal entirely.

"This state-level tourism event must be elevated to remain competitive as one of the main tourist attractions (in) Semporna," he added.

Nasir said that among aspects which need to be looked into is new infrastructure at the event’s various venues in the district, such as safe and attractive jetties.

"This is because jetties are not only for docking boats – (they) may also attract guests to the area," he reasoned.

Nasir also urged authorities to diversify tourism packages so that the industry is not monopolised by big players only; and to include rural folk as part of homestay programmes.

By Kristy Inus

sources :https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/305423/sabah-assemblyman-calls-campaign-revive-popularity-regatta-lepa

Revival and Regatta Lepa 2018

This video shows a dance performed by the perfect people to enliven the atmosphere of the party. In this video they also use a variety of colors and different clothes.

Credit by Kenneth Balajadia

Let's spill the tea about Regatta Lepa!

This research is only conducted in the Semporna Region and focuses on Lepa Regatta Party Events. With the organization of Lepa Regatta Party in Semporna, Sabah, this event is one of the largest events in the State of Sabah. Apart from that, the event is only welcomed by Bajau people in the Semporna District. The study was conducted to uphold the identity of the Bajau by organizing and implementing the event. The Regatta Lepa Festival is the official festival for Bajau people in Sabah's Semporna district. Every year this celebration is celebrated to realize the culture of homeland as a result of hereditary culture so as not to extinction.

Bajau community in Semporna District celebrates it by 21st to 23rd April every year in Semporna and the celebration was introduced in 1994 as a Sabah state level fest. Regatta Lepa is also known as "Malaysian Water Festival" and is one of Malaysia's annual events. The festival was introduced to honour the legacy of the Bajau Laut, a nomadic community of Sea Gypsies, whose connection with water is legendary and Lepa means boat, which of the single-mast sailing boat traditionally used by them.

Needless to say, everyone was as excited as a kid, busy taking photos of the lepa and dance. Little girls in their colorful costumes, so adorable and look like doll and people were very cooperative.

Keeping the art of Lepa-Lepa carving alive

Kota Kinabalu: Alpakah Hamah, a Bajau from Semporna has been in the business of making Lepa- Lepa ships for about 40 years already but now he spends his time carving detailed smaller model handicrafts for tourists in the State to take home as souvenirs.When met at the Kadaiku Sinsuran as part of their month-long Sabah Fest Handicraft Showcase, he was busy demonstrating to tourists how to carve the Lepa2 handicraft. "My skills in making the Lepa2 handicraft ships was passed down to me from my father who was a skilled Lepa-Lepa maker in the 60s and 70s in Semporna. "My father knew how to make the Lepa-Lepa ships, so when I was small I hung around and eventually picked up the skills to make the ships as well which I then applied into carving these handicrafts these days. "Now I have also passed down these skills to my children. One of my sons also is quite good at making these carvings but now he is working with the government. But I have some friends as well in addition to some youths there who are also making these handicrafts." He said there are four carvers in his village who are also engaged in the handicraft trade. "They have learnt the art of Lepa-Lepa handicraft carving from me and now their skill are about the same as mine. They are now also selling their own handicrafts. He said it would take him about two days normally to finish carving a one and a half feet sized model in a workshop and he can makes a range of sizes range up to five feet long. "Pricewise it can cost up to RM250 for this one and a half feet Lepa-Lepa model. The wood used is what is known by Bajau people in Semporna as 'Tambo tambo' wood or 'Kayu Nyiri' by the Malays. "It comes from a species of trees that grows in the mangrove areas. The wood is good for carving as it is not easy to split and has good grain pattern. "I normally source it myself and select the timber myself. This wood can also be used to make the Lepa-Lepa ships as the wood is also saltwater resistant. "Most of my buyers are tourists both from overseas and from the peninsula not so much locals. "Normally I produce my pieces based on orders as normally the buyer will ask for a certain number of pieces, but I can finish making about 30 such models in a month." He said the Lepa-Lepa making and carving was mainly a small scale home industry as there are many who want to learn and take up the skill but there is no school or workshop place to teach it. "There are skilled craftsmen in Semporna who can teach the skills but there is no work place to teach it. "I have suggested before to the relevant authorities for a workshop to be set up to teach the younger generation, especially those who are just loafing around to take up these skills but till today there has not been a response on the matter." Speaking a little more on the Lepa-Lepa ship making industry he said there was not much being constructed these days other than for the regatta as building one was expensive already. The Pelauh Bajau people who purchase these ships and live on them can no longer afford the cost of these ships. In the 60s and 70s, these Lepa-Lepa ships which can be up to 40 to 60 feet long typically cost only from RM750- RM1,200 each. "But now they can cost up to RM15,000 each which the Pelauh Bajau cannot afford. Hence, many of them now live on Kumpit boats which they construct themselves from regular lumber or stilt homes on the water as a result. Which is also why nowadays the Lepa-Lepa ships one can find being used for the regatta only," he said. Meanwhile, Bajau Kota Belud Sadi Basal when met at Kadaiku was demonstrating his skills in manufacturing Serdang (leaf weaving) handicrafts. Working on a woven gift box made from thin metal plate, nipah and colourful Serdang leaves, he said he learnt his handicraft skills by observing his mother when he was small. "After much time observing eventually we learn how to do it ourselves," he said, adding he has been weaving for close to 20 years already. "But in the olden days we only made the Tudung Duang (food cover) which can also be a colourful wall decoration, while the colourful ethnic casings and boxes you see here for putting in things like jewellery and other smaller items are a more recent thing. "However nowadays I concentrate on making these boxes as the demand for the food covers has dropped. There is almost no demand for them already from the tourism buyers. "Normally the buyers will request a certain size and design and we will go about producing them. We can normally finish making two handicraft woven boxes in a day. So in a month I can make about 30 pieces according to size. "In my village there are about six craftsmen making these boxes. These are the younger generation of craftsmen as the older generation typically are the ones who are making the Tudung Duang for sale in the weekend tamu in Kota Belud. "I myself don't make these boxes for sale in the tamu as the tourism orders coming in for them are more than enough. As soon as I finish an order another one comes, It's almost back to back," he said with a laugh. When asked his opinion on whether foreign or local tourists were the one who bought his wares, he said he was not sure as local buyers would buy his wares to be resold elsewhere. "So I'm not really sure who exactly buys my wares. But most of the woven boxes displayed here at Kadaiku are from me and Karyaneka shop in Kuala Lumpur, I also supply to them ," he said, adding that his wares can range from RM9 up to RM55 depending on size. The bigger sizes (which are used as gift boxes) are easier for me to make (as I can get my hand on the inside to sew) while the smaller ones (used for small jewellery and trinkets) are bit of a challenge. He said most of the younger generation nowadays in his area are not as keen to take up the art. "Most of them after they graduate and leave school are interested in getting a job (with the government or private company's). He said that to his knowledge there is no programme set up at the moment to encourage the younger generation in his area to take up the handicraft skill. When asked on his view whether this means the future of the industry could be affected one day, he said it still hard to say at the moment. When asked whether he would like to vary his designs and colours he said he would like to try it, however the buyers preferred the traditional colours and design and would specify their sizes, so it was difficult to change things as there would then be no market for it. Sources by http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=99767

Performing arts world wide

Three days in April every year, the sleepy fishing town of Semporna, East Coast Borneo (Malaysia) turns into a bustling little hive of activity, dance, and music: the Regatta Lepa takes over.

The Southeast Asian island world is home to several maritime communities whose people often are referred to as "sea nomads" or "sea gypsies," names that appeal to the exoticist imagination especially of Ang Mos (“redheads"), as white travelers and residents are called winkingly in Malaysia and Singapore. The Sama Dilaut, one of these sea-going peoples, live all over the Philippine Sulu Archipelago, southwestern Mindanao, Sabah/Borneo, east Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and many of the eastern Indonesian islands. In East Coast Borneo, the Bajau Laut, as the Sama Dilaut around Semporna, Sabah/Borneo call themselves, have strong ties with their related communities in the Philippines.

Locations in both countries as well as other, often sacred, sites in the archipelago play important roles for them. Some of these Bajau Laut have maintained their nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, living in houseboats and only temporarily setting up makeshift huts on small islets in the Celebes and South China Seas, the eery borderlands between the Philippines and Malaysia. Not quite in keeping with romantic Ang Mo dreams about unlimited freedom and vagabond life, clear turquoise waters and simple living, however, others have become sedentary, living in the stilt houses of the so-called "floating villages" that started to grow considerably in Semporna during the 1960s. And yet, they remain “Bajau Laut”: “Sea Bajau.” .................

The Bake (pronounce Bahkuh) Society , was founded in 1984 as a counterpart to the Ethnomusicological Centre “Jaap Kunst”. The society, named after the illustrious musicologist and singer Arnold Bake, organizes conferences, seminars and workshops.

Regatta Lepa-Lepa

Regatta Lepa-Lepa

During each year's Regatta Lepa-Lepa the mose happening location are the two main attraction spots of the celebration –
1) The Seafest Hotel pier where the traditional boats were docked
2) The Semporna town padang, where a concert stage and some traditional houses were built.

The Regatta Lepa has been celebrated every year since 1994 to commemorate the Bajau tradition of building these splendid boats.
First held in 1994 as a district-level event before being upgraded into Sabah state festival in 2003.
Regatta Lepa is now an Malaysia national event in water festival.
The Bajau seafarers' proud maritime heritage came alive in this annual festival of Regatta LEPA, featuring their LRPA boats, with participants dancing at the helm of their boats, decorated in full color.
The event attracted thousands each year.

In East Coast of Sabah, "lepa" means "boat" - the traditional houseboat of the seagoing Bajau Laut. Lepa cultural legacy is inherited by Bajau people from many many generations ago. The existence of Lepa boat is believed to originate from the Bajau fishing community. Generations ago, the Lepa-Lepa were created solely as a mode of transportation for the Bajau. Communication was close to none for the people at that time as they could barely travel and knew not of modern amenities. They led a humble existence, living to survive. The sea was the provider of their food and the sole bridge to neighboring islands.
This three-day cultural festival Regatta Lepa held annually in Semporna is a celebration of the lepa lifestyle, which nowadays has been replaced by village dwelling and engine-driven houseboats.
Both village dwelling and engine-driven houseboats are social developments that began in the 1950s. However, the lepa has remained a cultural symbol, so much so that in the mid-1990s, local politicians came up with the idea of a cultural event revolving around the boat as the emblem of a way of life.
Organized by the Semporna Pejabat Daerah (Semporna District Office) and well in tune with Sabah State’s official policy, the Regatta Lepa soon became an event with a political dimension to it. 
The Regatta Lepa festival opens with the arrival of various boats from different villages, headed by the village leader known as OT.
On that day, these beautiful LEPA boats dot the dock of Semporna side by side shimmering in all their glory.

The highlight of the Regatta Lepa includes a competition of the most beautiful Lepa-Lepa based on the boat's decoration, local ethnic music and traditional dances performed on board.

The night embraces colorful cultural dances performed by the Bajau.
 

full form

ANNUAL REGATTA LEPA FESTIVAL DATES

Annual Regatta Lepa Festival Dates

Year	Date
2018	20 – 22 Apr 2018
2017	21 – 23 Apr 2017 265 decorated lepa boats took part 24th Regatta Lepa
2016	22 – 24 Apr 2016
2015	24 – 26 Apr 2015
2014	25 – 27 Apr 2014
2013	26 – 28 Apr 2013 20th anniversary
2012	20 – 21 Apr 2012
2011	22 – 23 Apr 2011
2010	23 – 25 Apr 2010
2009	18 – 19 Apr 2009
2008	18 – 20 Apr 2008 15th anniversary
2007	20 – 22 Apr 2007
2006	14 – 16 Apr 2006
2005	16 – 17 Apr 2005
2004	10 – 11 Apr 2004
2003	14 Apr 2003 10th anniversary – Regatta Lepa is declared a national festival
2002	14 Apr 2002
2001	08 Apr 2001
2000	09 Apr 2000
1999	April
1998	29 Mar 1998 5th anniversary
1997	April
1996	April
1995	April
1994	April

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The Bajau community on the East Coast of Sabah have a very unique lifestyle – They live on Lepa and only come ashore for food, water supply and during this LEPA festival.

LEPA : In Sabah East Coast Bajau community dialect, lepa means "boat". The lepa boat is a cultural legacy inherited by Bajau  people from many generations ago. The existence of lepa is believed to originate from the fishing community who live in Bum Bum Island and used by the Pa'alau people along the coast of Semporna.

One can see the Sea Bajau (Bajau Laut) fish on the clear and shallow water of Semporna. The live in their boats on the sea most of their life. Present day, some groups have settled on tiny islands.

From an event observed only by the sea gypsies of Sabah, the Regatta Lepa Semporna is now an official state festival; an important agenda in the national tourism calendar.

SONG OF REGATTA LEPA FESTIVAL

NEWSPAPER

By Haslin Gaffor

SEMPORNA, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- At one time, Imai Ulaiman, 50, used to live on his boat at sea but now has resettled on terra firma along with his family at Pulau Bodgaya.

In spite of the initial apprehensions, Imai still went ahead with his decision to end his nomadic lifestyle on the boat with the direction literally set by the winds.

This was the typical life of the Bajau Laut or the Pala'u community who are known as the sea-farers of Sabah.

But what prompted Imai to take the plunge, he told the writer through an interpreter, it is to embrace development for the sake of his future generations.

Imai's family is among the 30 odd families living in the settlement and the sea is still close to their heart.

Their house stands on the sea and the boat still serves them as their main transport mode. The Bajau Laut's change in lifestyle has helped the government and the non-governmental organisations to channel assistance, especially employment opportunities based on marine resources.

SOSIO-ECONOMY PROJECTS

Imai made the right decision because he will be among the settlers to partake in a seaweed culture project under the Semporna Island's Darwin Project meant to improve their socio-economic standing.

Under this project, the participants are provided equipment and the know-how in implementing the seaweed culture project.

The Semporna Island's Darwin Project is an initiative to rope in the local community to preserve the marine life especially the corals at the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

The project took off in 1998 and maintained by the Marine Preservation Organisation with the cooperation of Sabah Parks to preserve the biodiversity around the park by encouraging the sustainable use of the marine resources.

Imai said he is eager to get on with the seaweed culture as it promises regular income for the family.

"At present, we live on the catch and coconuts collected from nearby islands. I want to change my present way of life so that my coming generations can enjoy development and they can go to school," said Imai who only speaks in his native language.

Imai lives with his wife, children and grandchildren in two adjoining houses, and the houses are cramped as 15 people are living in them.

NO REGULAR INCOME

The dwellers in the island don't have steady source of income and valuable catch like shrimps and fishes are sold to fishermen or bartered for rice or clothes.

Many from the Pala'u ethnicity still hold strongly to their traditional ways with most without identification documents or formal education. They speak only in their mother-tongue.

Another member of the community who is also seeking the winds of change is Injalmani Masewani, 50, who is also eager to participate in the Semporna Island Darwin Project.

"I cant wait to get on with this project as it promises a bright future for the whole family and free us from the shackles of poverty," said the father of nine.

MIGRATING TO LAND

It is estimated that at present there are only about 150 Pala'u families in the district who still live on boats. The major Pala'u settlements in this district is at Kampung Labuan Haji, Pulau Bum-Bum and Kampung Bangau-Bangau. Many live in homes built under the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme.

The Bajau Laut community in Pulau Bodgaya has been offered the seaweed culture project as it has proven successful in several coastal districts.

The seaweed culture activity is a viable income generator for the locals and is helping to enhance Semporna district's economy as the leading seaweed producer in Sabah. In this district the seaweed culture project has already been implemented in Pulau Selakan, Kerindingan, Bum-Bum, Sebangkat, Sibuan, Pababag and Omadal.

The project has transformed the lives of the settlers in the village and they are now no longer left out from development.

-- BERNAMA

 THIS IS THE REGATTA LEPA FESTIVAL CLOSING VIDEO IN 2013

VIDEO ABOUT REGATTA LEPA 2017