03:48The indigenous Badjao people, also known as the Sama-Bajau, celebrated the Lepa Festival with a vibrant flotilla of traditional boats in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, on Wednesday. The festival marked the 51st anniversary of Tawi-Tawi’s foundation, established by Presidential Decree No. 302 in 1973.
Thousands of people from various tribes across the island’s 11 municipalities participated in the celebrations. The event's highlight was a parade of colourful lepa boats, traditional houseboats that historically served as homes for the seafaring Badjao, often called "sea gypsies."
Participant Amildullah Amilbasag explained the cultural importance of these boats: “Sinama and Badjao are sea gypsies, and their house is the boat floating at sea where they eat, take a bath, and gather fish.”
Kenlene Aming, another participant, provided insights into the design of the lepa: “The entire boat functions like a house, with a bed, kitchen, and toilet.” She also referenced Tawi-Tawi’s historical connections with China, explaining that "before Islam arrived, many Chinese traders engaged in barter with us through this port."
The brightly decorated boats, illuminated with lights, were showcased at the Chinese Pier, and the festivities continued into the night with fireworks. The festival serves as a tribute to the Badjao’s rich maritime heritage, despite their gradual transition from boat-dwelling to living in stilt houses along the coasts since the mid-20th century.
Sailing tradition with splash of colour! Badjao celebrate Lepa Festival with flotilla of traditional boats in Tawi-Tawi
The indigenous Badjao people, also known as the Sama-Bajau, celebrated the Lepa Festival with a vibrant flotilla of traditional boats in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, on Wednesday. The festival marked the 51st anniversary of Tawi-Tawi’s foundation, established by Presidential Decree No. 302 in 1973.
Thousands of people from various tribes across the island’s 11 municipalities participated in the celebrations. The event's highlight was a parade of colourful lepa boats, traditional houseboats that historically served as homes for the seafaring Badjao, often called "sea gypsies."
Participant Amildullah Amilbasag explained the cultural importance of these boats: “Sinama and Badjao are sea gypsies, and their house is the boat floating at sea where they eat, take a bath, and gather fish.”
Kenlene Aming, another participant, provided insights into the design of the lepa: “The entire boat functions like a house, with a bed, kitchen, and toilet.” She also referenced Tawi-Tawi’s historical connections with China, explaining that "before Islam arrived, many Chinese traders engaged in barter with us through this port."
The brightly decorated boats, illuminated with lights, were showcased at the Chinese Pier, and the festivities continued into the night with fireworks. The festival serves as a tribute to the Badjao’s rich maritime heritage, despite their gradual transition from boat-dwelling to living in stilt houses along the coasts since the mid-20th century.
The indigenous Badjao people, also known as the Sama-Bajau, celebrated the Lepa Festival with a vibrant flotilla of traditional boats in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, on Wednesday. The festival marked the 51st anniversary of Tawi-Tawi’s foundation, established by Presidential Decree No. 302 in 1973.
Thousands of people from various tribes across the island’s 11 municipalities participated in the celebrations. The event's highlight was a parade of colourful lepa boats, traditional houseboats that historically served as homes for the seafaring Badjao, often called "sea gypsies."
Participant Amildullah Amilbasag explained the cultural importance of these boats: “Sinama and Badjao are sea gypsies, and their house is the boat floating at sea where they eat, take a bath, and gather fish.”
Kenlene Aming, another participant, provided insights into the design of the lepa: “The entire boat functions like a house, with a bed, kitchen, and toilet.” She also referenced Tawi-Tawi’s historical connections with China, explaining that "before Islam arrived, many Chinese traders engaged in barter with us through this port."
The brightly decorated boats, illuminated with lights, were showcased at the Chinese Pier, and the festivities continued into the night with fireworks. The festival serves as a tribute to the Badjao’s rich maritime heritage, despite their gradual transition from boat-dwelling to living in stilt houses along the coasts since the mid-20th century.