SABAH"S Old culture relived at MARI-MARI Cultural Village

A Murut warrior

Admisdt in an old Tropical fruit orchard surrounded with lush tropical forest, here nestled a cultural village set next to a crystal clear refreshing Kionsom river. Recently a newly transformed land into an exciting traditional, cultural venue reliving the lifestyle of Sabah more than a century years ago.
The freshness of the air and the greenery at foreground decorates the village makes the place pristine and very relaxing. Sounds of Birds, insects and the gushing noise of Kionsom river will make anyone who visits this place to be reminded of their old nostalgic memories of an old village far-far away. Here roams native locals in old tribal and hunters costumes ever ready to expect visitors to come. An excellent place to see the real lifestyle of an old and gone traditional living of the Sabahans. A haven for photographers who wishes to capture an old and authentic scenery with traditional lifestyle.

A place simply named Mari-Mari Cultural centre. Mari-Mari from a Malay word means "Come- come" and is self explanatory inviting anyone to come and visit this wonderful place. Situated at Kionsom Inanam. Just a stone throw away to a famous Kionsom waterfall nearby. About 40 min drive North of Kota Kinabalu city.
Traditional houses, Native style in Bamboo cooking, Local cakes, Variety of traditional dances, intricate colourful clothing, hunting tools, carpentry tools are among many being displayed here.
This place was recently launch and a brainchild of Mr. Octaviouos. A well known person locally in developing tourism products. It is indeed a very exciting place and built to a precision so as to copy a village that was once a common scenery in Sabah. A very comfortable atmosphere even as an international visitor will have no problem adjusting to the native settings. Some locals and tourist worldwide had visited this place and said such an exciting place and very authentic experience. Sabah's culture is unique and even some local Sabahan have not even experienced such lifestyle which is hardly to be seen in this modern world. As modern lifestlye is swallowing the old cultures, here a good place to remind us how the old lifesytle works and we may ask ourselves how people those days can survive without electricity, TV, handphones, computers and etc. Such a place should be promoted and be shown to the world how Sabah evolve from headhunting and pirating ancestors , into the most friendliest people on earth. This is the secret lifestyle of old Borneo revealed. Almost very realistic experience as one visit this place. Fun, exciting, thrilling, blood pumping experiences coupled with great traditional show is what is expected here. At the end of the tour, visitor will be fully educated on how natives in Sabah survive their life in the old and difficult days.
A well designed old looking structure made from the finest wood and materials found locally. A very organized tour by the village staff to take you around and explaining all about the place. Some staff wearing the tribal costumes simply looks very real and living in their native homes makes this place realy alive!
No doubt some of our Sabah's culture had diminished and some are vanishing, this is the only way for our next generation to see and feel how was life use to be.
Recently I was one of the tour leader to lead a group of 90 pax from an international Pharmaceutical company in Peninsular Malaysia to visit this very new but old looking place, it was a surprise for many of the group members for such a place looks so real, existed close to a modern city.
As when we arrived near the place, the coach stopped by the road side near a forested area. No houses around and it seems nothing is in sight except the members of the group and the forest behind. It was 3pm in the afternoon and the weather was very cloudy. Suitable atmosphere of the mystical feeling of visiting old villages. Then Ms. Lydia Silas , the manager of Mari-Mari showed up amongst the trees and welcomed the group.

Ms. Lydia far left welcoming the visitors

From the eyes of the visitors, all felt strange and wondering where they are and where this place is. At the drop off point the village cannot be seen as it is situated across a river behind some fruit trees. One needs to cross a suspension bridge and walk for few minutes to see the first Native house. So the group was divided to smaller groups by Ms. Lydia and introduced them to their respected in house guide.
As the guides took them away in separate ways, Feelings of excitement can be seen in their faces. We are scheduled to complete the village in 1 hour 30 minutes, however due to the overwhelming interest generated by the group we ended up leaving the place after 2 hours 30 minutes later. Despites cutting off some of the attractions.
A visit to Kadazan Dusun Bamboo house with a demo of bamboo style cooking and rice wine making starts off the tour to the village.




This tribe is known for headhunting more than a hundred years ago and at present the largest native group of Sabah. However due to the British colonization in early 1900's headhunting in Sabah was put to a stop. Thus a lost in Sabah's culture. Which I personally thinks it for the good of humankind.
Next a visit to A Rungus Longhouse where a beautiful lady dressed in a colourful Rungus costume with its famous beads works attire attracting many photographers.

Rungus a peaceful non headhunter tribe is still today some of them can be seen living in a Longhouse up north in Sabah near Kudat. A Rungus gentlement in the longhouse is displaying his skills lighting fire with just using bamboo material.

A visit to a Lundayeh house is next.

A house made mainly from Sago palm roof and tree bark walls. A large Crocodile structure made of soil decorates the garden to tell visitors of a headhunter warrior is staying in this house. So an extra caution to be adhere when visiting such a place. A demo of how this former Bornean Sarawakian origins uses tree barks for clothing and materials for use of the house. Very unique traditional living even myself was overwhelmed by its ingenuity in the house architecture. A roof can be lifted in the case on a very hot day!
A visit to the Land Bajau house is another exceptional experience. A large building built on very high stilt with very spacious living room built with Sago palm roof, walls made from tree barks and floor made of Nibung palm wood, spaced for air ventilation. An excellent way of construction in making the house cool troughout the day in this tropical heat. Outside the house Traditional locals cakes "Roti Jala" among others and a Pandan flavoured drinks are prepared for anyone to try. "Delicious" shouts some of the guest.

Next house is the most thrilling and heart pounding experience, The Murut Longhouse. A group of Murut hunters fully dressed in traditional Hunting gear equip with blowpipes surprised the visitors with very angry look with his warrior roaming around the group checking out the visitors and looking very suspicious and worried if they might be from another tribe looking for opportunities to attack the Muruts.

The Murut Headman

The visitors face turns pale and fear overcome the feelings over the situation. A feeling of being attacked by vicious headhunters, a thrilling experience. After the inspection, the Murut Headman signals the warriors for they are "safe" visitors and to welcome the group in to the village. Then a ritual of blessing by the High priestesses locally known as "Bobohizan" to bless the visitors with charmed water using special leaves hoping to chase away bad spirits brought by visitor to the Murut Longhouse.

After the cleansing, an invitation by the headman to visit the Longhouse is granted.

Here a demo of blowpipe making and blowing , then a competition to a high jump on a Trampoline in the Longhouse is showcased. It looks very simple however a few tried but failed to do so. It needs precisions and timing for the jumping to be successfully executed.

A demo on traditional Tattoo for visitors are available and a temporary Tattoo is a favourite for many of the group member. It will last a few days.

Before we leave the Longhouse, a Skull kept by the corner of the house is a constant reminder of the tribe to be weary of and it is usually kept smoked to keep the spirits calm. A reminder of the aggresive. A signed of what a Murut warrior can do.

A skull smoked to appeal the spirits

With the Murut Longhouse visit a Traditional show at the large and open air stage awaits the visitor for an unforgetable show.

Light refreshments was a heaven after a long walk in this tropical heat. An ever trhilling and exciting Traditional dance never fails to entertain the visitor.

A lady was picked from the visitor's group to begin the ritual and to start the Murut warrior 's dance.

A Murut warior's dance

Visiting this place, a time of at least 3 hours should be set aside to fully indulge all the experience. It was an experienced that can never be forgotten. A place worth a visit.

Text by John A. Prudente