Unique architecture, showing tribal style

The Sabah Cultural Village covers a vast area, and the traditional buildings of many aboriginal tribes are distributed in the carefully planned area. When you enter the cultural village, the first thing that catches your eye is the longhouse of the Rungus tribe. These longhouses are uniquely shaped, built of wood and palm leaves, and are high on wooden piles, as if they have grown naturally from the forest. The longhouses vary in length, and some can even stretch for dozens of meters. It is not only a place for the Rungus people to live, but also an important space for them to socialize and hold ceremonies. Walking into the longhouse, you will see a spacious corridor with living areas for each family on both sides. The walls are covered with handicrafts with ethnic characteristics, such as woven baskets, carved wood carvings, etc., each of which tells the history and story of the tribe. ​

Going further, it is the house of the Dusun tribe. The architectural style of the Dusun tribe is different from that of the Rungus tribe. They are usually built on flat ground, with pointed roofs and covered with thatch. The exterior of the house is decorated with exquisite patterns, which are mostly related to natural elements and ancestor worship, reflecting the Dusun people's awe of nature and respect for their ancestors. The layout of the house is compact and reasonable, with all living facilities, showing the traditional lifestyle of the Dusun people. These distinctive buildings are like vivid three-dimensional history books, allowing tourists to intuitively feel the unique style of different tribes in Sabah.

Traditional performances, feel the charm of culture

The traditional performances at Sabah Cultural Village are a highlight, with wonderful performances being staged regularly every day. When the cheerful music sounded, dancers dressed in bright traditional costumes came out one after another. Their costumes were colorful and exquisitely embroidered, and each piece contained rich cultural connotations. The dance moves were passionate and unrestrained, and the dancers used their agile postures to interpret the legends of the tribe, life scenes, and gratitude to nature. ​

Among them, the bamboo pole dance was particularly eye-catching. The dancers faced each other, holding bamboo poles and opening and closing them rhythmically, while other dancers jumped and shuttled flexibly between the bamboo poles, with agile and precise movements, and they might be caught by the bamboo poles if they were not careful. The tourists on the scene were also infected by this cheerful atmosphere, and they joined in and felt the fun of bamboo pole dance with the dancers. ​

In addition to dance, there were also traditional music performances. The musicians used various unique instruments, such as bamboo tube pianos and gongs, to play rhythmic music. The bamboo tube harp is made of bamboo tubes of different lengths. Different tones are produced by striking different bamboo tubes, which together form a beautiful melody. The sound of the gong is thick and loud, echoing throughout the performance venue, adding a unique charm to the music. These traditional performances allow tourists to experience the unique charm of Sabah's aboriginal culture in person, as if traveling through time and space and entering their lives.

Folklore experience, in-depth cultural core

At the Sabah Cultural Village, visitors have the opportunity to experience various folk activities in person and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural core of the aborigines. You can try to learn traditional weaving techniques and weave exquisite baskets, hats and other items with bamboo strips, rattan and other materials under the guidance of local craftsmen. The weaving process seems simple, but it actually requires great patience and skills. Every step embodies the wisdom and creativity of the aborigines. There is also a tattoo experience. In some tribes in Sabah, tattoos have a special meaning. It is not only a decoration, but also a symbol of identity, courage and honor. Here, you can experience traditional tattoo painting, draw unique patterns on the skin with natural pigments, and feel the mysterious charm of this ancient culture. In addition, archery is also a popular experience activity. In the past, archery was an important survival skill for the aborigines. Now, tourists can pick up traditional bows and arrows, stand in front of the shooting range, learn the correct archery posture, feel the fun of archery, and also experience the survival skills that the aborigines have trained in a difficult environment. Through these folk experience activities, tourists are no longer cultural spectators, but truly become participants in culture, and have a deeper understanding of Sabah's aboriginal culture.

Food culture, taste unique flavors

The food culture of Sabah Cultural Village is also rich and colorful. Here, you can taste authentic aboriginal food and appreciate the unique flavor of Sabah. Bamboo tube rice is a delicacy that cannot be missed. Put glutinous rice, meat, spices and other ingredients into bamboo tubes and slowly roast them with charcoal fire. As the roasting time goes by, the fragrance of the bamboo tube gradually penetrates into the rice. When you open the bamboo tube, a strong aroma comes to your nose. The rice is soft, sweet, and has a faint bamboo fragrance, which makes people have endless aftertaste. There are also various dishes made with local ingredients, such as cold dishes made with wild vegetables and fruits in the jungle, which have a refreshing taste and are full of the taste of nature. Barbecue is also a major feature of Sabah cuisine. Fresh meat is selected, marinated with unique spices, and roasted on the fire. The skin is golden and crispy, and the inside is tender and juicy. With special sauces, the taste is very wonderful. In the process of tasting food, tourists not only satisfy their taste buds, but also feel the wisdom of life of Sabah aborigines living in harmony with nature from the food.

Sabah Cultural Village, with its unique architecture, wonderful traditional performances, rich folk experience and delicious food culture, provides tourists with an all-round and immersive cultural journey. Coming here, you will travel through time and space, appreciate the long history and splendid culture of Sabah's aborigines, and leave behind unforgettable beautiful memories. Are you ready to embark on this wonderful cultural journey? Let the unique charm of Sabah Cultural Village bloom in your heart.