Regatta Lepa

The month of April usually heralds the celebration of the water festival in many seaside communities of Malaysia. In the town of Semporna, situated on the eastern coast of Sabah the celebration of the Malaysia Water Festival takes the form of Regatta Lepa, a celebration that pays homage to the lepa or the traditional single-mast sailboat commonly associated with the native Bajau Palau people of Semporna.

The Bajau are known to be skilled craftsmen who build their single-masted lepas or sailing boats out of timber.  These lepas are usually elaborately adorned with intricate carvings and multi-hued sails and tapis (small flags). A regatta to honor this humble lepa was initiated in the early 1990s, to coincide with the celebration of the annual Malaysia Water Festival. This year Semporna’s Regatta Lepa celebration will be held from 26^th to 28^th April, days that have been designated for the celebration of the Malaysia Water Festival.  Aside from commemorating the annual water festival, the Regatta Lepa also helps to attract tourists to a town, primarily known as a gateway to the fabulous dive sites of the neighboring island of Sipadan,

The sail-boat festival, Regatta Lepa features many fun-filled activities and events.  The town of Semporna habitually hosts a festival bazaar for the Regatta Lepa which is set up a few days before the main event. This festival bazaar features many vendors of local crafts and eats and is a popular draw along with the regatta.  The program schedule for the 2013 Regatta Lepa features a roll call of contests and challenges, like a boat–tug-war contest, tele-matches, boating and kayaking competitions and even a quaint duck-catching competition. The actual Regatta is scheduled be held on the second day of the festival.

Previous editions of the Regatta Lepa have featured elaborately adorned lepas, which have onboard local song and dance troupes that feature beautifully-attired local women moving gracefully to the sounds of traditional gongs and drums. These visuals make for a stunning sight as the lepas participating in the regatta sail around the bay and are judged on their beauty and form.  .

The regatta is usually followed by a grand party in the town of  Semporna which features much revelry in the form of singing, dancing  and of course feasting. The event usually terminates with a wonderful fireworks display. The Regatta Lepa of Semporna provides tourists with a wonderful opportunity to witness a time-honored Malaysian tradition in a tropical paradise.