Mari Mari Cultural Village - Destinations, Sabah Tourism Board Official Website (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

Sabah Tourism Board Official Website

Mari Mari Cultural Village
Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is situated amidst a remote forest setting in Kionsom, Inanam; 25 minutes away from the hustling and bustling city. Its surrounding atmosphere may faintly remind you of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Lost World’; in the Sabahan sense. The beauty of untapped nature is guaranteed to capture your eyes and heart as soon as you arrive at the village!

In the village, you will be introduced to various traditional homes of Sabahan ethnic communities—the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun—which are built by descendants of the tribes which they represent. Your friendly excursion guide will also give thorough introductions to the houses, making it a highly educational experience.

Be prepared to teleport back to the times of ancient Borneo through the display of unique ingenious architecture, simulated lives and ritualistic ceremonies. Also, get acquainted with each village tribe as you enter their homes and experience their rich culture.

For a more hands-on experience, check out the little huts in the village where daily routines of traditional Sabahan life come alive. Grab the chance to see blowpipe-making demonstration, fire-starting demonstration using bamboo, tattoo-making demonstration, and get an in-depth look at the mystical symbolisms behind them. Visitors will also get chance to sample Sabahan traditional delicacies from each ethnic group.

A visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village will be a cultural excursion of a lifetime! See, taste and feel the essence of Sabah presented to you as it was and as it is.

Mari Mari!!

Getting there

To arrange a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village, you would have to book a tour package from the company. No individual drop-ins are allowed.

Tariffs

Package Rates	Malaysian	Non-Malaysian
Adult	RM 130.00	RM 150.00
Children (5 - 11 y/o)	RM 100.00	RM 130.00

Itinerary for 10am / 2pm / 6pm arrivals

Upon arrival, you will be greeted and as preparation for your time-travelling into prehistoric Borneo, briefing on the Village Rules is a must before you enter. You will be greeted by the Chief and go through a custom Welcome Ceremony. Then you may walk through the suspension bridge to enter the village.
First, you will visit the Dusun house. Here, you will be briefed on the tools / items used in the olden days and the materials of the house itself. As you exit through the back door, you will enter a hut specialized for bamboo cooking and Montoku (distilled rice wine) processing.
Second, we will bring you to the Rungus Longhouse. Here, you will learn how to start a fire without lighters or matches and look into the typical room of the tribe.
Third, you will find the Lundayeh house. Inside, be awed by a demonstration on the olden ways of producing ropes, vests, floors, walls and etc. from tree barks.
Fourth, visit the Bajau House to watch the locals prepare Jala (local cake) and Pandan juice. Inside, you will see a myriad of colourful materials of antique ancestral objects. At one corner, there is a decorative bridal parlor for your photo-taking pleasure.
Fifth, belonging to the headhunters’ tribe, the Murut Longhouse, awaits you as your journey reaches the ending. (Just kidding! We hereby guarantee that your head will still be attached to your body after visiting this house). You will witness a demonstration on blowpipe making before going into their house. Inside, there is a built-in Lansaran (traditional trampoline-like floor) which you may dance on after they show you how to jump for your “prize”. At a corner, you will see demonstration on tobacco cutting and may have a puff or two. At another corner, witness the locals as they tattoo their bodies the old method. You can also get a temporary body tattoo the ancient way if you wish.
Finally, you will be led to the stage where our very own staff will entertain you with cultural performances. After that, proceed to the main dining hall where you will be given fifteen minutes to linger around and shop at the Souvenir shop (all handmade products). You may also choose to take photos of your surroundings.
After your wonderful tour, sumptuous meal is prepared for you at the Buffet Counter.
Then, it is time to bid farewell to the villagers and depart into the 21st century, as we transfer you to your respective hotels/ drop-off points.