The Sama-Bajau include several Austronesian ethnic groups of Maritime Southeast Asia. The name collectively refers to related people who usually call themselves the Sama or Samah ; or are known by the exonym Bajau. They usually live a seaborne lifestyle and use small wooden sailing vessels such as the perahu, djenging (balutu), lepa, and vinta (pilang). Some Sama-Bajau groups native to Sabah are also known for their traditional horse culture.
West Coast Bajau women of Sabah in their traditional dress
A Sama lepa houseboat from the Philippines (c. 1905)
A Sama-Bajau flotilla in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Sama-Bajau children in Basilan
Lepa, also known as lipa or lepa-lepa, are indigenous ships of the Sama-Bajau people in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
They were traditionally used as houseboats by the seagoing Sama Dilaut. Since most Sama have abandoned exclusive sea-living, modern lepa are instead used as fishing boats and cargo vessels.
A Sama lepa houseboat from the Philippines with an elaborately carved stern (c. 1905)
Front half of a lepa from the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan
Sketch of a lipa-lipa (lepa-lepa) of Bajau people.