Five peoples
Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Lundayeh and Bajau houses.
A heritage village in the forest on the edge of Kota Kinabalu, founded in 1996 to preserve the cultures of five of Sabah's indigenous peoples: the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Lundayeh and Bajau. Each has its traditional house, and a guide leads you from house to house explaining the old way of life, its customs and beliefs. Along the way you see blowpipes made for hunting and fire lit the old way, Lundayeh bark cloth, traditional tattooing, and you try jumping on the springy wooden floor of the Murut house as if it were a trampoline. Skulls displayed in two houses recall the old headhunting era, and the tour ends with a folk dance show and a meal. Visits are by guided tour only, booked ahead. The official price for non-Malaysians is about one hundred and thirty ringgit per adult without transport and about two hundred and ten with hotel pick-up and return; children aged five to eleven pay about one hundred and ten and one hundred and eighty, and under-fours go free. The price covers the guide, shows and meal. It is fun for families and anyone curious about cultures, presented in a lively, playful way. A taste of traditional rice wine may be offered on the tour; it is optional and can be politely declined, and ask about a halal meal when booking.
Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Lundayeh and Bajau houses.
Blowpipes, bark cloth and fire-lighting.
A folk show and a meal to end the tour.
Kiansom, Inanam, about half an hour's drive from the city
Very: it is hands-on, with jumping, games and shows. Bring insect repellent as the village is in the forest, and book with transport if you have no car.