Mari Mari Cultural Village

If you wish to learn about the lifestyles of Sabah's different tribes, this is the right place. Mari Mari (Come, Come...) Cultural Village is situated at remote forest somewhere in Inanam area. Only one hour drive from the Kota Kinabalu city centre. 

There are 5 main tribes in Sabah; including Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau and Murut. Different tribes has different houses, lifestyles, activities, beliefs etc

The map

We took the morning session, starts at 10am. And the first house we visited is Dusun Tribes' Traditional House. Here, we learn the process of making their own Rice Wine, and to see the uniqueness way of cooking the rice and dishes inside bamboo. 

   

 

Followed by Rungus Longhouse. There are FREE food & beverage to try! such as sweet corn, fried banana and local coffee. And... there's a live demonstration of the fire making. Fuhhhh~~

Next, Lundayeh House. The big vases in front of the houses are actually the coffin. When someone pass away, they will put the dead body into the vase in a seating position and let it rotten in the jungle. Later (couple months after) they will collect it back and put in front of their house(s). The higher the vase, means the higher the status of the person was. Here, you may learn how they make their own rope or vest by using tree bark.

 

 

As far as I know, there are 2 types of Bajau... Bajau Laut (sea) and Bajau Darat (land). The one in Mari-Mari Cultural Village is Bajau Darat. They said Bajau Laut is the most richest among tribes, because they dealt with foreign traders. And most of them own horses. I think Bajau people has the biggest house among tribes, and I shall apologies because I totally forgot to take some photo of the house. And below 'kueh' cooking demonstration photo (originally was a short video) is courtesy from my friend. Inside this sample house, guest also can see & learn their traditional wedding ceremony. And since the house is quite high above the ground, the guide told us that usually they are having "tamu" or market below their houses selling some vegetables and fruits.

The final house we visited was quite interesting. From the 'scaryshocking' welcome ceremony, pipe blowing, trampoline-dancing, beads-bracelet making, to tattoo (henna) drawing. You may experience all these kind of activities at Murut Longhouse.

  

 

  

We finish our tour with the performance show by all 5 tribes. I managed to join their bamboo dancing. It was quite thrilling especially when the tempo getting faster and faster.

Last but not least, we enjoyed our lunch at Mari Mari Cultural Village. 

I hope it's not too late to wish "Happy Harvest Day" to all tribes in Sabah who celebrate their yearly festival on 30th May.