Murut

The Murut are an indigenous ethnic group, comprising 29 sub-ethnic groups inhabiting northern inland regions of Borneo. A large percentage of the Murut communities are in the southwest interior of Sabah, East Malaysia, specifically the districts of Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, and Pensiangan, along the Sapulut and Padas rivers. They can also be found inhabiting the border areas of Sarawak, (especially around the Lawas and Limbang areas, where they are also referred to as Tagal people), East Kalimantan (in Malinau and Nunukan) and Brunei. The literal translation of murut is "hill people".The group is divided between lowland (Timugon) and highland (Tagol) subgroups. They speak the Murutic languages, a branch of theAustronesian family. The Tagol Murut language serves as their lingua franca.

The Murut were the last of Sabah's ethnic groups to renounce headhunting. As with the Iban of Sarawak, collecting heads of enemies traditional served a very important role in Murut spiritual beliefs. For example, a man could only get married after he presented at least one head to the family of the desired girl.The Murut were shifting cultivators of hill padi and tapioca, supplementing their diet with blowpipe hunting and with some fishing. They live in communal longhouses, usually near rivers, using the rivers as their highways. Most have now converted to Christianity, with about a fifth of the population being Muslims. However they still maintain their culture.Traditional dress for men was a jacket made of tree bark (Artocarpus tamaran), a red loincloth, and a headdress decorated with Arguspheasant feathers. Women wore a black sleeveless blouse and sarong, which fell just below the knees. Like most of the other indigenous groups in Sabah, the Murut decorated their clothing with distinctive beadwork and also made belts out of old silver coins. Another belt made of reddish-brown glass beads plus yellow and blue beads was hung loosely around the waist.Murut wedding or funeral feasts can last several days. 

Ancient Chinese jars hold a prominent status in Murut customs. Jars are also a place of spirits, and larger jars were formerly used as coffins.

Traditional dress of Murut

Sipadan Island

         

Sipadan IslandSemporna“I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art”. - Jacques-Yves CousteauThe internationally famous island of Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Lying 35km south of Semporna, on Sabah’s mainland, like many tropical islands it is thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches. Sipadan is an oceanic island and was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, which rises 600m from the seabed.The geographic position of Sipadan puts it in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. More than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystems. Sipadan is well known for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles which gather there to mate and nest and it is not unusual for a diver to see more than 20 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to divers visiting Sipadan is the turtle tomb, an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that became disoriented and then drowned.The residential schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally, which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations, are one of the highlights of every diver’s wish-list. With the possibility of seeing pelagic species such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event.It is not only the big fish that amaze divers coming to Sipadan, the macro life is equally mesmerizing. Garden eels, leaf scorpion fish, mantis shrimps, fire gobies, and various pipefish are guaranteed at various dive sites.The diversity and abundance of marine found at Sipadan gives it its reputation of being one of the ten best dive locations in the world.Conservation efforts in Sipadan Sipadan Island was established as a bird sanctuary in 1933 and in 2004, the Government of Malaysia has decided that all onsite dive resort operators are to move their operations out of Sipadan Island by 31st December 2004. The island is open for divers from 6am to 4pm - no night dives are allowed. The number of divers allowed to dive in Sipadan daily has also been limited to 120 pax in an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state.Sipadan is a treasure which we want to save for the generations to come, before Sipadan can be saved, it must first be truly appreciated - hence the conservation efforts. Nevertheless, a treasure amounts to nothing if it cannot be enjoyed. Therefore, Sabah welcomes everyone to enjoy and appreciate Sipadan, and this appreciation will hopefully incite a bigger desire to save.Sipadan Dive SitesThere a total of 12 dive sites in Sipadan Island namely the West Ridge, North Point, The Drop Off, Turtle Cavern, Barracuda Point, Coral Gardens, Whitetip Avenue, Mid Reef, Turtle Patch, South Point, Staghorn Crest, Lobster Lair, and the Hanging Gardens. The most popularly recommended dive sites are the Turtle Cavern, Barracuda Point, South Point and Hanging Gardens.

Dusun Tobilung

The Dusun Tobilung is a small tribe of KadazanDusun. Native of Sabah Borneo. They generally resides in suburb part of Sabah Borneo namely Kota Marudu and Kota Belud and some in Kudat area.  In Kota Belud, you can find them  in a village ( Kampung ) namely  Kampung Dudar, Kampung Sarang, Kampung Timbang Mengaris and Kampung Taburon. These villages or kampungs quite far from the town area. Meanwhile in Kota Marudu they resides in Kampung Ulu Kukut, Kampung Mangaris I – III, Kampung Tonsom, Kampung Mangin, Kampung Bintasan and some in Langkon. Some could be found in Tigaman in Kudat area. Even then, nowadays most of the youngsters have moved to other places either to pursue their study or due to work commitment which left only the old folks with the children in their own kampung.And…now gone was the day of paganism. Today, majority of The Tobilungs has embraced Islam or Christian though, a small part has chosen to remain in their pagans belief especially those who has lived over centuries.Just like the rest of other pagans which do not have temple of specific place meant for prayer or fellowship, so is the Tobilungs who are pagan. Their prayer including request for healing for those taken ill or for well being. As a part of prayer service,  ‘Magambawon” will be held first where a chicken or pig will be sacrificed depends on how simple is the request. Upon completion of magambawon,  “Mogorunduk”  then will held whereby they will pray to request healing or other things.Jimat or ‘kemburongo’ is important in every prayer whereby the spirit they called for live in.

Odu ( in Tobilung ) means Nenek ( in Malay ) or Grandma. Believed to be one of the oldest from Tobilung’s sub-tribe with her age abt 84yrs old. Odu is currently staying with one of her daughter in Kg. Mangaris whilst her older brother staying in Ulu Kukut. Other sisters who owns paddy field living in Kg.Batu 4.  Odu and her younger sisters and older brother whose age is between 70yrs – 86yrs old…well according to the document. who knows what is her real age…could be 90yrs and above.

Traditional dress of Tobilungs

Pesta Kaamatan

The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.

Appeasing is done in respect of Bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts. Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves worthy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration in necessary to ensure the health and well being of sunduans, mankind and other spiritual beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be integrated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon with human Sunduan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

Nonsom / Bosou

Another popular traditional Kadazandusun preserved dish is the Nonsom, or sometimes known as Bosou. It is made using raw fresh water fish mixed together with rice and pickled using salt and pangi (a type of local herb). After the mixing, the mixture is stored in a glass jar and marinated for two weeks. Like most preserved traditional food, the Nonsom / Bosou is salty and tangy in flavour. It goes well with white rice or even fried beehoon.

For a nicer aroma, sauté the Nonsom / Bosou together with diced garlic, a dash of pepper and olive oil—de-lec-table! 

Guest post by: Nova Renata

Nova Renata is a freelance writer and editor based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. When not writing at her desk, she will be cuddling her cat, clocking some miles or rolling on the mats. She aspires to be a best-selling author with solid six pack abs one day. Read Nova’s blog at novarenata.tumblr.com

Kiulu White Water Rafting

Tuaran

The Kiulu River white water rafting is a trip that suits those seeking a moderately adventurous and relaxing trip.

The furthest rafting distance is 15 kilometers when the water level is high, and 7 kilometers of excursions at normal water level. The grade is between 1 to 2.

Kiulu River is located at Kampung Pukak Kiulu, about 1 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu (42 kilometers away).
For more info
Contact Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd (KPL 3505)

Address : Wisma Sabah,
Lot No. 228 - 229, 2nd Floor,
Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens,
88000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia
Phone : +60 88 260501 / 260502 Fax : +60 88 261503 Email : sales@traversetours.com
Website : www.traverstours.com

Pinasakan

Pinasakan sada, otherwise simply known as Pinasakan, is a traditional Kadazandusun dish of braised basung fish mixed with takob akob (a tangy wild fruit mainly harvested for its skin), fresh turmeric, salt and slices of Bambangan (optional). Pinasakan is another type of preserved food and is good to be eaten sans heating for days at a time. You can find Pinasakan at most traditional cuisine restaurants.

Pinasakan goes well with white rice or ambuyat and a dash of sambal.