Sabah's History & Culture

Sabah Information

Known as the ‘Land below the Wind’, Sabah on the eastern side of Borneo is home to over 30 different ethnic races with over 80 local dialects. Its title comes from its location; directly beneath the typhoon belt making it free from climatic disturbances. Despite the advent of modernity, tradition and culture still prevail in local lifestyles, especially as a practice to welcome international visitors. A visit to Sabah is indeed a multi-cultural and fascinating experience.
Sabah’s early records indicate that it was broken up into various areas ruled by local chieftains in the early 9th Century. Later, in the 15th Century, it became a part of the Brunei Empire until an American Trader named Moses arrived in the 1880s’ to lease it. From there, it was passed on to an Englishman named Alfred Dent who converted the lease into a cession. The British North Borneo Chartered Company was thus established, ruling over the state until the Japanese occupation during World War II, after which it became a British Crown Colony. In 1963, Sabah joined the coalition of Malaysia.
Sabah’s 2 million residents are a diverse mix of races, with the Kadazan, Bajau and Murut forming the main indigenous groups. There are of course, sizeable populations of Chinese, Malays and Indians who form the majority of Malaysia’s social landscape.

SABAH PEOPLE

Kadazan-Dusun

The largest indigenous group in Sabah is the Kadazan-Duzun, which makes up a third of the population. They are known as prolific rice-producers, but many have gone into other commercial markets outside their traditional field. They are also known for their colourful customs, including those that involve female priestesses named ‘Bobohizan’. Their most famous festival is the Harvest Festival or ‘Tadau Ka’amatan’, which celebrates a season of good rice harvest.

Kadazan-Dusun Picture

Bajaus

The Bajaus are known for their many skills, from farming rice to rearing water buffaloes and making boats to riding horses. They are established mostly in Sabah’s coastlines, near the sea which is a central part of their culture. Traditionally, they are a nomadic, sea-faring people, with pockets of their race scattered in other countries across South East Asia. A peaceful lot, the Bajaus often put on shows demonstrating their awesome skill in horse-riding and handling for visitors during the annual ‘Tamu Besar’ Festival in Kota Belud.


Bajaus Picture

 

Muruts

The Muruts are found deep inland in Northern Borneo, renowned for their hunting skills using spears, blow pipes and poisoned darts. They used to practise head-hunting but have renounced it for a life of agriculture. Today, many cultivate hill paddy and tapioca, with some fishing and hunting in between.

Muruts Picture

(this info take from)

Sabah Traditional Food

Sabah Traditional Food

Today , I would like to introduce to you ,

my favorite sabah natives traditional side dishes !

hey!!! Don't think that we don't eat meats and vegetables oh...

Dish no 1 : is Acar ikan masin

(salted fish cooked with onion , ginger , sour seed and chili padi )

This taste a little bit(5%) of spicy , taste of onion's sweet and salted fish ! great .

Dish no 2 : is Tuhau preserves in vineger or lime with chili padi .

This is my fav fav favorite!!

It might taste weird to those who hates weird smell..haha..

Dish no 3 : fish with various ingredients .

This kind of dish has many variation , murut people have different recipes ,

Kadazan-dusun have different ! This taste good!!

 (THIS INFO TAKE FROM)

 

This is called "SINAMU"(salted mangoes with anchovies)

About Rungus

Rungus Dress

The Rungus are an ethnic group of Borneo, residing primarily in northern Sabah in the area surrounding Kudat. A sub-group of the Kadazan-Dusun, they have a distinctive language, dress, architecture, customs, and oral literature.

Rungus Dress

The Rungus living in the Kudat district are known to have maintained their ancient traditions to this day. Even the traditional ladies costume has not many changes made to it. Some of the women still wear costumes made from cloth processed form hand-grown and hand-spun cotton.

The design of the Rungus costume is simple. A black cloth with little hand-stitched patterns worn from the chest to the waist becomes the blouse ( banat tondu ) and the skirt is a knee-length sarong (tapi rinugading) of the same material. Another length of black cloth, about 28-30 cms. Wide is slipped over the head and it rests on the shoulders draped over the arms like sleeves.
What makes this outfit very interesting is the belts and necklaces that go with it. Little brass rings and antique beads looped through thin strands of stripped bark ( togung ) becomes a wide and colourful hipband called orot. To wear this, the orot is slowly and carefully coiled around the hip. Then a last string of beads ( lobokon ) is hung loosely from the coil. The orot is hand made by the Rungus men as the technique is known only to them.
The Rungus are also well-known for their beadwork and the costume shows off some of their finest. Two shoulders bands ( pinakol ), about 6 to 8 cms wide are aworn diagonally over each shoulder and cross over in front. The bead-work often tell a story and this one in particular tells of a man going spear-hunting for a riverine creature. Usually the pattern must follow ancient designs when worn with this costume.
Long antique bed necklace ( sandang ) are also worn diagonally over the shoulders. These necklaces often include ivory-white discs, obtained from the shell of the kima ( tridachna gigas ) as well as animal bones.
Several necklaces of reddish-brown glass beads and the chocker-like suldau with the white kima as the centre-piece further adorn this costume. The large burambun and the smaller giring are antique brass bells that sound with the slightest movement.
The Rungus lady's hair is combed into a bun and a multi-coloured floral head-piece ( titimbok ) is worn. A thin band of beads strung together ( sisingal ) is tied around the forehead and then pieces of cloth sewn together in rows to form colorful pigtails ( rampai ) are tided at the nape.
This costume, with all the beads and belts, is worn during festivals. Rungus ritual specialist also wear the complete outfit when conducting rituals.(this info take from)



Rungus  Dance

The women and men dressed in their traditional wear, performed the mongigol samundai ritual dance. The women resplendent in their beaded wear and headwear moved in slow short steps, behind the man who had his arms outstretched. The traditional instruments playing in the background accompanies their movement.

Video Rungus Dance

 

Mount kinabalu at Sabah

Mount kinabalu

STORY

The majestic and awe-inspiring Mount Kinabalu is one of the premier destinations for thousands of visitors to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo each year. Kinabalu National Park, a designated World Heritage Site, boasts an estimated 4,500 species of plants which includes 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu, Nepenthes pitcher plants, and the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. The Park also supports 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies.
Besides being the highest peak in Borneo and the whole of South East Asia (between Irian Jaya and the Himalayas to be exact), and the youngest non-volcanic mountain in the world, Mount Kinabalu is extremely climber-friendly and compared to other much lower mountains around the world, Mount Kinabalu is an ideal first mountain for novice mountain trekkers to conquer.
The standard climb up Mount Kinabalu is via the Kinabalu Summit Trail at Kinabalu National Park (~1,560m above sea level). The first ascent is from the starting point at Timpohon Gate, about 4km or 30 minutes drive from the Kinabalu National Park Headquarter.
If you prefer to start the ascent on Day 1, it is advisable to arrive at the Park late morning the latest or else, depending on the weather, the Park may not allow you to do the first ascent due to hazardous condition (i.e., the fog may be too thick by late evening causing visibility problems and/or the trail may be extremely slippery).
Most climbers prefer to stay overnight at Kinabalu National Park upon arrival to not only acclimatize to the altitude but also to enjoy the magnificent flora and fauna at the Park before the assault on the next day/morning.
The first ascent is from Timpohon Gate just after the Power Station up to the mid-summit Laban Rata Resthouse (or more popularly known as the 11,000 ft or ~3,873m). You will first follow the crest of a narrow ridge that dips down onto the main slopes of Mount Kinabalu itself. A little further on, you will reach a scenic waterfall known as Carson’s Falls, named after the first Warden of the Park. Don’t forget to take a sip and fill your water bottles with the fresh natural mountain water.
Conservatively, it should take a normal fit person an average 5-6 hours to reach Laban Rata. Participants at the annual Mount Kinabalu Climbathon competition went all the way up to 13,400ft (4092.5m above sea level) and back in 2 hours. But it is not really about how fast you can reach the top. It is about the experience of trekking pass different vegetation zones from Oak and Chestnut to mossy and eventually to alpine type of vegetations, and observing the rare and exotic flora and fauna on the way up.
Besides the heated Laban Rata Resthouse, the other option for climbers is to stay at the unheated mountain huts. There is actually another accommodation option at the so-called VIP Lodge, which is more expensive compared to the others and also, more difficult to secure (i.e., only two such units available).
After a short night rest to recharge your battery, the second and more grueling phase will commence early morning on Day 2, at about 2 am to 3 am. The second ascent will be from the mid-summit all the way to the summit, which is called Low’s Peak, named after the British colonial officer Sir Hugh Low, supposedly, the first person to conquer Mt. Kinabalu.
The ascent should normally take a few hours but it is much more challenging than the initial ascent due to the thinner air near the summit. But near the peak on the granite portion of the ascent, there will be a thick nylon rope laid down to mark the route so that climbers will not get lost in the fog. You can use this rope to pull your tired body up.

 (THIS INFO TAKE FROM)

Maranjak Kudat Longhouse

About Maranjak Longhouse Lodge

Maranjak Longhouse Lodge is one of the must to visit  in Kudat. Formerly known as Maranjak Homestay, Maranjak Longhouse Lodge is located in Kg. Bavanggazo, Matunggong which is 40 km before reach to Kudat City. Maranjak Longhouse Lodge has a variety of functions and facilities for tourists such as accommodation and recreational activities. In addition, travelers will be able to identify a way of life and traditional culture of old Rungus here (function as Rungus museum). Other facilities are tourists interested in adventure activities will be brought to climb Gumantung mountain (highest in Kudat area) and jungle trekking activities. At night, activities such as arts, traditional dance performances will be held especially for tourists who stay.

               WELCOME TO MARANJAK LONGHOUSE LODGE

In the past, women who recognized the most beautiful women in the longhouse will be privileged to live in this tower called Rorizan.

                                            Inside of Longhouse

                                        Around the Longhouse

                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Handicraft Shop

If need any information about Maranjak Longhouse Lodge, just call our office in 088-622524 or direct to Mr. Herodis Maranjak (014-8739740), Mr.Jimis Monunsui (013-5420817), Mr. Hirmon Maranjak (019-8122313) or Mr. Herwin Maranjak (0138811597). Also can email us at maranjaklonghouse@gmail.com

(this info take from)

Kudat Golf Club and Marina Resort

Kudat Golf & Marina Result

front view

northwing view

southwing view

STORY OF MARINA RESORT

Kudat Golf & Marina Resort has an ethnic design feel with timber furnishing incorporates the natural surrounding to create the modern style of long house which traditionally lived by an ethnic group that can be found in Kudat, known as Rungus.(this info take from)

MARINA RESULT DETAIL

Built in 2002, Kudat Golf & Marina Resort is a distinct addition to the city's skyline. Only 2 km from the city center, the hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest. A haven of rest and relaxation, the hotel will offer total renewal just steps away from the city's numerous attractions such as Esplanade Sidek, As-Syakirin Mosque Kudat, Kudat Airport.

Offering hotel guests superior services and a broad range of amenities, Kudat Golf & Marina Resort is committed to ensuring that your stay is as comfortable as possible. To name a few of the hotel's facilities, there are meeting facilities, coffee shop, Wi-Fi in public areas, safety deposit boxes, airport transfer.

Guests can choose from 88 rooms, all of which exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or are just looking for a way to unwind after a hard day, you will be entertained by top-class recreational facilities such as fitness center, massage, outdoor pool, tennis courts, pool (kids). Whatever your reason for visiting Kudat, the Kudat Golf & Marina Resort is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.(this info take from)

OTHER PICTURE OF MARINA RESORT

KUDAT GOLF

It has been in existence since the early 1900s and is acknowledged as the first golf club in Sabah. The early nine-hole golf course, now called the second nines, is located in the heart of Kudat town. Naturally wooded and matured, this 3075- metre course is challenging in its own way, being surrounded by buildings, roads and houses.
Since mid-2002, the new nine-hole course (the first nines) 3005 metres, has been opened for play giving Kudat Golf Club an 18-hole golf course of 6080 metres. This non-buggy course faces Marudu Bay and features large water hazards and numerous bunkers throughout.
It is complemented by the Marina Resort which offers good accommodation and F&B outlets. There is also a driving range.(this info take from)