KAMPUNG BAVANGGAZO (RUNGUS LONGHOUSE)
Traditionally, the Rungus people live in longhouses built on stilts, but the shift to modern-day living has meant that the sight of such longhouses are getting more rare. In Kg. Bavanggazo near Tinangol in the Kudat district, you can still experience this fascinating communal lifestyle in a purpose-built longhouse constructed entirely of traditional materials but with added modern comforts like toilets and showers.
Situated in a valley about 41 kilometres south of Kudat town and 98 kilometres or two and a half hours drive from KK City, you can get a taste of real Rungus living through their food, daily rituals and music on a day trip or overnight stay. The later will need prior arrangements
In Bavanggazo you can meet and mingle with the local people and admire their elaborate traditional costumes. In the not too distant past, the Rungus women used to wear brass coils around their arms, legs and neck, and many strings of colourful glass beads and semi-precious stones Chinese traders brought to the area hundreds of years ago. Their costumes are intricately woven from home-spun cotton, and the men wear an elaborate turban-like headgear. Although it is nowadays rare to find people who still don a complete set of the traditional outfit outside festive days, it is quite common to find ladies who still wear their heavy arm coils, and elder men with their colourful headgear.
The Rungus are renowned for their skilled basketry, fine bead work and weaving, and many local souvenirs on offer throughout Sabah are manufactured by the Rungus in Kudat.(THIS INFO TAKE FROM)
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