The Mari Mari Cultural Village is a group of traditional houses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The cultural village is well-known for its tours and traditional art displays. You can see tattooing, blowpipe manufacturing, and other traditional crafts practiced by these tribes. You can also taste their cuisine and learn about their beliefs and way of life. You can also visit the Kiansom Waterfall adjacent to the settlement while you're here. Learn about a relaxing day trip to Mari Mari cultural village and other things to do in Kota Kinabalu.

Relaxing Day Trip to Mari Mari Cultural Village Highlights

• The Mari Mari Cultural Village trip takes you across a huge region populated by members of five unique tribes.
• Take a look at the many traditional hobbies and habits practiced by each of these diverse tribes, as well as their daily routines and ceremonies.
• Enjoy watching activities such as a unique manner of chopping trees and blowpipe dart shooting, which was originally employed as a defensive weapon.
• Participate in local folk music and tribal dances, such as bamboo dance.

Facts about Mari Mari Cultural Village Tribes

Here are the fun facts about the five tribes in Mari Mari you must know before visiting the village to have a better understanding.

Kadazan Tribe

The Kadazan tribe genuinely represents the people of the land. They value their crop and celebrate Kaamatan, which is a famous harvest festival, every year to honor the agricultural gods. The majority of Kadazans are Christians, primarily Roman Catholics, with a small minority of Islamic followers.

Murut Tribe

The Murut Tribe is one of the Mari Mari Village's oldest tribal people. Because of their legendary 'headhunting' habits, they used to have a stronghold over the other tribes that lived in and around the region. They were also renowned for their lethal weapons, including poisoned swords, blowpipes, and venom-coated spears.

One of their old customs was to arrange the skeletal heads of murdered victims to demonstrate their strength to other tribes while also deterring any attacks or threats. However, as British colonialism began in Malaysia, their numbers declined rapidly, causing them to become one of the kinder tribes.

Bajau Tribe

The Bajau tribal population is divided into two halves, with around half of them living in Kota Belud and the remaining half in Sempora. The Kota Belud Bajau tribes are famous for their superb horse riding and breeding talents. The Semporna Bajau Laut tribes are affectionately nicknamed 'Sea Cusps' due to their exceptional sailing abilities.

Lundayeh Tribe

The Lundayeh Tribe is a hardworking group of anglers, cattle farmers, hunters, and fishermen. They were notorious for their heavy burak consumption. A massive smallpox outbreak in the early twentieth century wiped away the majority of the Lundayeh tribal members. It happened mainly due to their poor immunity because of heavy drinking, which rendered them more susceptible to any type of epidemic. The Lundayeh tribes are now thought to be nearly extinct.

The Rungus Tribe

The Rungus tribe was once considered a part of the larger Kadazan ethnic group until now when they have become a more distinct, autonomous tribal community mainly impacted by Malaysian civilization. The whole village primarily relies on rice harvesting and processing, which serves as their primary source of revenue.

Things to do in Kota Kinabalu

Here are the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is Malaysia's tallest peak in Kinabalu Park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a massive altitude of 4,101 m and is the world's most accessible peak. This natural marvel is one of the world's safest mountains and is widely recognized for its rich flora. Its high elevation allows diverse habitats to thrive, making it one of the world's most significant ecological places.

Tanjung Aru Beach

Tanjung Aru Beach on the west coast of Kota Kinabalu, is one of the best places to visit in Kota Kinabalu for a relaxing day out. It is an excellent destination for all sorts of tourists. Tanjung Aru Beach offers stunning sunset views. Tanjung Aru Beach's evening parties are a dramatic contrast to its daytime ambiance, with loud music, parties, and entertainment.

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is the city's biggest mosque. It is generally known as the "Floating Mosque" since it looks like it floats on the water. The captivating mosque is said to be the pinnacle of Islamic design and boasts a large prayer hall and three different madrasahs. Visitors are welcome to visit and explore the mosque.

Manukan Island

Manukan Island is widely renowned for its extensive beachfront and trails. The captivating island is the only island that houses Malaysia's first marine park. The island is surrounded by pristine water and is a popular water sports destination. It boasts a diverse marine life and is an excellent site for people to spend their leisure time. Snorkeling is the most popular activity on Manukan Island; thus, those who want to do so should certainly go.

How to get to Mari Mari cultural village?

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is located in a forest almost 19 km east of Kota Kinabalu's city. Because there is no public transportation, you can reach the village by local means. To ensure a comfortable and trouble-free trip, select a day trip to Mari Mari Cultural Village package that includes transport.

Conclusion

A relaxing day trip to Mari Mari Cultural Village in Kota Kinabalu is an enthralling tour amongst indigenous tribes. The village offers visitors unique opportunities to engage with the region's rich heritage through immersive experiences and realistic shows. The village's indigenous people leave a lasting impact on anyone seeking an interesting and relaxing trip to Mari Mari Village.