Our Kota Kinabalu trip was filled with thrilling water activities like white water rafting and island hopping. We were also delighted to get around the city. And yes, there’s more! We had another unique experience when we visited Mari Mari Cultural Village.
About Mari Mari Cultural Village
Mari Mari Cultural Village is located at Inanam, Sabah, around 30 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city. The village is a one-of-a-kind museum on its own preserving Borneo’s ethnic culture. You don’t get to only visit old houses and see indigenous materials, you will also be able to interact with the ethnic groups.
Five ethnic tribes can be found in Mari Mari Cultural village namely Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus, and Dusun. A visit to the traditional homes of each group will basically comprise the three-hour journey at the place with a tour guide.
What to Do in Mari Mari Cultural Village
Taste and Experience Traditional Cooking
We witnessed some traditional ways of cooking from the tribes including bamboo cooking and fire-starting demonstration. We also get to try honey and rice wine making. Surely, we tasted them, too (together with some of their native delicacies)!
Get Henna Tattoo
Another fun thing our group had was having henna tattoo!
See Ancient Houses
As we roamed around the ancient houses in Mari Mari cultural village, we saw old furniture, weapons, kitchen utensils, clothing, musical instruments, and the likes. We were fascinated with the different indigenous materials that the village was able to keep intact.
Interact with Tribes
Upon arrival at one tribe, we were welcomed by one of the leaders in a traditional way. We also got to wear some native clothing. The people were welcoming as they proudly share to us their rich culture and traditions.
Play Ancient Games
Making things more exciting, we tried two of their ethnic games, blowpipe shooting and what the Murut tribe referred to as Langsaran. Blowpipe shooting was like playing darts wherein you have a target and you’d shoot at it by blowing through a pipe.
Langsaran was a fun game where you will jump at a platform and will try to reach the things hanging in the roof.
Watch a Cultural Show
At the end of the tour is a short cultural dance where guests even participated.
Overall
It is very good to know that our ancestors’ way of life is kept alive in a dynamic setting like what Mari Mari Cultural Village has. I highly encourage travelers (yes, you!) to visit attractions like this to support the preservation of ancient culture and traditions.
Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour Package
We availed of our Mari Mari Cultural Village tour with a combination of Kiulu Rafting at Riverbug. You can also book For Mari Mari Cultural Village tour alone. Visit Riverbug’s website for updated rates.
Riverbug
Address: Lot 227-229, 2nd Floor, Wisma Sabah, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact Nos.: +6 088 260 501 / +6 088 260 502
E-mail: tours@riverbug.asia
Website: http://www.riverbug.asia/
