MOBILITY + CLUSTERS The Bajau Laut utilize two boat typologies within this maritime environment: the boggo’ and the lepa. All boats are individually owned and serve various functions. The boggo’, ranging from 3 - 5 meters, is used only inshore as a means to navigate between unconnected villages. The boggo’ only can hold one to two people and is propelled by paddles. However, it can be towed by the lepa. In contrast, the lepa shown in the diagram to the left is larger at 7 - 12 meters long. The boat is divided into three sections, the midsection is used for living, the stern is used for cooking, and the bow is reserved for fishing, poling, and manning the sails. Boat construction and care is an intricate process that requires frequent attention. Repairs are typically made from a bark called gellom which grows along the coral line. During times of marriage, a lepa is built and given to the new couple in order to assure residential independence from their families. Married couples would then set sail to new housing clusters.
REFER TO BAJAU LAUT LEPA DIAGRAM: 1 Teddas (keel) 2 Pangahapit (strake) 3 Tuja’ (bow section with raised poling platform) 4 Jungal (side-pieces ending forward in a projecting bowsprit and aft in a small stern projection) 5 Tuja’ buli’ (stern section) 6 Bengkol (lower sideboard forming fitted gunwale) 7 Kapi kapi (middle sideboard) 8 Koyang koyang (upper sideboard) 9 Dinding (wall of living quarters) 10 Ajong ajong (forward side-piece) fore and aft) 11 Sa’am (cross-beams enclosing living quarters fore and all) 12 Sapau (roof) 13 Lamak (sail) 14 Lantai (deck planks) 15 Panansa’an (bow and stern deck) 16 Patarukan (forward cross-piece and mast support) 17 Sengkol (cros-pieces reinforcing hull and supporting deck planks)
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