Kota Kinabalu: The 28th Regatta Lepa Festival will be held from November 17 to 19 at the Dataran Regatta Lepa in Semporna, with the theme 'Regatta Lepa: Symbol of Civil Society Unity'.
"The Regatta Lepa is one of Sabah's unique heritage and attractions that is famous all over the world, and it plays a role as a cultural binder and unity among our community, including in revitalising the tourism sector," said Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew in a press conference here Monday.
The Lepa Regatta Festival, held every year in Semporna, is a festival that depicts the rich customs and culture of the Bajau community, attracting the attention of thousands of tourists from home and abroad.
The purpose of this festival is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Bajau Laut community, strengthen unity, improve the local economy through tourism, promote Semporna as a cultural destination, as well as preserve the traditional Lepa-lepa boat-making skills.