SEMPORNA: The Regatta Lepa Semporna, an iconic traditional festival of the Bajau community and a major annual tourist attraction for the state, has been listed in this year’s Sabah Tourism Calendar, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
“What makes it more special is that this year marks the 30th year the Regatta Lepa Semporna is held, proving the strong commitment of the Semporna community in upholding their cultural heritage.
“With the inclusion of the festival in the tourism calendar, it is hoped this event will reach a new level and be able to attract more tourists to come and experience its vibrancy,” he said at the closing of the Regatta Lepa Semporna at the Padang Bandaran here tonight.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew delivered the Chief Minister’s speech.
“Through the Regatta Lepa, we can showcase the beauty of the Bajau cculture and the ommunity’s efforts to preserve its seafaring heritage to tourists from around the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that this year’s Regatta Lepa will feature a variety of exciting contents such as the traditional Lepa parade, Sambulayang flag hoisting, crowning of the Lepa Queen and the awarding of the Tokoh Regatta Lepa.
He also congratulated the success of the Igalthon event, which featured a non-stop onehour performance of the traditional Bajau dance known as Igal-Igal involving dancers from various cultural groups and communities.
The event has been entered into the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest Igal-Igal dance performance on June 21.
“Upholding the cultural treasures and ethnic heritage of the state is one of the key elements that makes it a popular tourism product. This is because Sabah is a state rich in diverse ethnicities and cultures.-pr/BNN
