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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 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 in length, and around in width; with the hull averaging at in height. Lepa is also known as pidlas, among land-dwelling Sama. Very large lepa are known as sapit or kumpit. They can reach lengths of and are most often used as trade ships and also for deep sea fishing. Family lepa usually tow smaller daughter ships, like the buggoh or the birau. 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 , the pambot ("pump boat").
Lepa has a single sail ( lamak), mounted on a mast socketed into the keel through the front decking. Like the roof posts, it can be detached as needed. Lepa can also be propelled by ( dayung) or . Modern lepa are almost universally fitted with motor engines.
Lepa can be differentiated from other native boats in the region (like the djenging and vinta, which are also used as houseboats) in that the lepa does not have . The prow and the stern are also made from flat carved blocks of wood, and not posts or curving planks as in vessels like the balangay. The bow ( mundaˊ) and the stern ( buliˊ) are low on the water to make the casting and gathering nets easier, as well as facilitate poling and rowing. Lepa are traditionally decorated with elaborate flowery designs known as Okir (also spelled ukkil). The prow, especially, often features a large beautifully-carved bowsprit called the jungal or jungar.
In the nomadic past of the Sama Dilaut, before a young man was to be married, his family would build or buy him a lepa, so he and his wife could live as an independent fishing unit. Upon his death, his lepa would be disassembled and served as his coffin for burial.
Before undertaking long or dangerous journeys, lepa are often blessed with magic spells ( haligmun) by the village shaman. These include spells that supposedly makes them invisible to pirates or deflect bullets. Sama-Bajau also sometimes make a pledge ( magjanji') to God ( Tuhan) or to ancestor spirits ( umboh) in a crisis at sea, or when a boat fails to return home. When the boat is safe, the pledge is paid by a thanksgiving feast called the magmaulud or magbajanji.
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