First Free Travel Guide in MalaysiaTAMBUNANCFORPEYETambunanTheGuide TambunanTheGuideSompoton Roundabout in Tambunan ©
SABAHAN SLANG BAH!Every day expressions In a short while - SikijapBreakfast - Sarapan pagi We/ us - SiorangLunch - Makanan tengah hari Many - BanyakDinner - Makan malam Man - LelakiThank you - Terima kasih Woman - Wanita/Perempuan CPlease - Sila Toilet - Kamar mandi MPlease sit down - Sila duduk Thank You - Terima Kasih YPlease come in - Sila masuk You are welcome - Sama-sama CMExcuse me - Tumpang lalu Why - Kanapa MYTo pass/walk by - Maaf, saya limpas dulu? Later - Karang CYI come from - Saya datang dari ……… CMYMy goodness! - Doi dogo Numbers KGood - Bagus Number - NumburBeautiful - Cantik Zero - KosongExpensive - Mahal One - Satu Two - DuaIFCCheap-MurahOpen - Buka Three - TigaClose - Tutup Four - EmpatSmall - Kicil Five - LimaBig - Basar Six - EnamReverse - Gostan Seven - TujuhForward - Gohed Eight - LapanFaster - Lakas Nine - Sembilan Ten - SepuluhDirections Eleven - SebelasHow do I get to…? - Macam mana saya mau pi…? Twelve - Dua BelasOver there - Saaana (Num) teen - (Num) belasPlease draw me a map - Tolong lukiskan saya peta (Num) ty - (Num) puluhRight - Kanan Hundred - RatusLeft - Kiri Thousand - RibuStraight ahead - Terus DaysHere - Di sini Date - TanggalThere - Di sana Yesterday - KemarinFront - Depan Monday - Hari satuBack - Belakang Tuesday - Hari duaUsually - Kepaingan Wednesday - Hari tigaUncertain - Inda Thursday - Hari ampatCommon words Friday - Hari limaYes - Bah Saturday - Hari anamNo - Endak Sunday - Hari mingguIs it? - Gia
Publisher Lyndon Yap Group Chief Operating Officer Annie Goh BUSINESS MANAGERFinance & Administration MANAGER Adele Chin Writer Chang Lee Ming Designer PUBLISHED BY Elvi Suraya Muhammad Afiq Zaki Bluedale Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 31-2, Block F2, Level 2 Jalan PJU 1/42A, Dataran Prima 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D. E.Find us at TEL (6)03-7886 9219 FAX (6)03-7887 8212 ENQUIRIES [email protected] WEBSITE www.tambunantheguide.com.my www.facebook.com/tambunantheguide https://www.instagram.com/tambunantheguide/ TAMBUNAN DISTRICT OFFICE PO Box No 25, 89657 Tambunan, Sabah Tel : 087-771 800 Fax : 087-773 122 www.sabah.gov.my/md.tbn/ Printer Percetakan Skyline Sdn Bhd (135134-V) 35 & 37, Jalan 12/32B, TSI Business Industrial Park, Batu 61/2 Off Jalan Kepong, 52000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Complimentary Copy Not For Sale © Bluedale Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd. (769278-W) All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No contents of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Any person involved in unauthorized acts in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all the information, the Publisher can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. For all enquiries related to advertising please contact us at [email protected]
ContentsForewords from Tambunan 27th District Officer 5Calendar of Events 8Forewords from Presidentof Tambunan Tourism Association 10History 12Sabah map 16Tambunan at a glance 18Tambunan map 20Transportation 22 3
The Indigenous People of Tambunan 24People of Tambunan 28Musical Instruments 30Clothing 31Historical Places 34A bit of culture 38Places of worship 41Eco-tourism 44Sports & Recreation 50Shopping-Tamu Market 52Eat like local 54Nightlife 59Accommodation 61Essential Info 634
Forewords Forewords from Tambunan 27th District OfficerTambunan is a district in the UpperInterior Region of Sabah that sitsin-between two mountain ranges,namely the Crocker Range and theTrusmadi Range. The district covers134,679 hectares or 520 square milesof land, consisting of 7 mukims or 88villages and one township, and withthe population of 36,297 people as ofthe 2010 national census.What makes Tambunan Districtunique from other districts in Sabahis that it houses a variety of naturaltreasures such as rare plants, oneof them being the world’s biggestflower which is the Rafflesia. In fact,Tambunan has four of the world’sseven species of Rafflesia and isalso home to the pitcher plant locallyknown as Kukuanga or its scientificname nepenthes xtrusmadiensiswhich can only be found on MountTrusmadi, the second tallestmountain in Malaysia. Not only that,Mount Trusmadi is also home to theworld’s smallest orchid: the Corybasorchid. So, in terms of naturalwonders, one can discover nature’s largest and smallest right here in Tambunan.The other fact that makes Tambunan unique is its people. The Tambunan people areusually laid back and go about their daily lives in a chill and relaxed vibe. However,they are also notoriously known for going all-out when it comes to merry-making.From celebrating birthdays to grand events such as the annual Harvest Festival, theTambunan people know how to have a good time; and you can count on them to includeanyone and everyone in their celebrations.In a world and era where everything is at the tip of your fingers, Tambunan has alsoevolved along with it. Its natural and cultural diversity is apparent in social medias, andmore traditional medias like television, radio and newspapers. This is how Tambunanspreads information to the outside world about the district itself, whether by design orsimply on a whim of a teenager posting themselves on social media as they visit one ofthe many attractions in Tambunan District.The Tambunan District Office, along with other government agencies and NGOs aim topreserve Tambunan’s natural eco-system and biodiversity by cooperating with eachother. Tambunan not only has rivers that enforces prohibition on any kind of fishingactivities, it also has several water conservation and catchment areas; and on top of allthat, Tambunan’s Crocker Range and Trusmadi Range national park and jungle reserveare among the largest and well-kept in Sabah, earning various global certifications;mainly the Crocker Range which is designated by UNESCO as an inclusion in theWorld Network of Biosphere Reserve by the International Co-ordinating Council of theProgramme on Man and the Biosphere. 5
ForewordsTambunan District is also one of the safest districts in the State of Sabah. With one ofthe districts in the state that has the lowest crime rates, one can leisurely travel aroundwithout worries. The people are friendly and helpful, and should any emergency happen,security agencies such as the Police Department and Tambunan District Hospital arealways at the ready.Looking for delicious food will be a challenge, as visitors will face a dilemma of whichrestaurants to go, because food in Tambunan is all delicious! One would need a wholeweek to sample most of the food that are readily available in Tambunan, be it Malaycuisine, Chinese, Western or traditional Dusun. People in Tambunan love to eat, and foodin Tambunan are always abundant. If you happen to visit during Fruit Season, you canfeast to your heart’s content on fruits like rambutan, mangoes, jackfruit, tarap and themisunderstood but delicious durian.The Tambunan people are not only good at merry-making, but they are also goodat craft-making. Bamboo crafts are the most common here since bamboo growseverywhere, which gave birth to one of Tambunan’s most well known nicknames: theBamboo Valley. From traditional musical instruments such as the sompoton, householdfurniture such as bamboo mats or kolobon, to artsy and decorative pieces like bamboowind chimes and mini wakid, one can buy all of these at the local craft shops or at theweekly market or tamu.For out of state travellers, or any travellers and visitors to Tambunan for that matter,there’s always something to do in Tambunan; places to visit, things to see, food to eat,knowledge to learn, culture to enjoy, and most definitely strangers that become friends.Do not let the time you have limit your experiences here. From lazing around and justrelaxing to fill your day with thrilling adventures, Tambunan is always ready to welcomeyou more than once; so, you can come here as often as you like, and Tambunan, alongwith its people, are always happy to have you.Last but not least, with the publication of this book, we hope that Tambunan will becomeone of the major tourism hubs in the Upper Interior Region of Sabah, and the whole stateessentially. Eco-tourism in Tambunan has a major potential for further development,therefore investors and tourism industry players are more than welcomed to join in thejourney towards a future of endless tourism possibilities with us.Thank You.ENCIK THOMAS LOGIJIN27th District Officer of Tambunan6
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Calendar of EventsTAMBUNAN FESTIVALTambunan District LevelKaamatan Festival19 May 2019The Tambunan District LevelKaamatan Festival Celebrationthis year is once again heldat the Pisompuruon Square,continuing the long traditionof thanksgiving celebrations,marking the end of harvestseason and looking forwardto a bountiful harvest inthe next season. Join the locals and have fun in the various activities andcompetition held during the festival, and of course, indulge ourselves withmerrymaking and the delicious traditional food that are plenty during thecelebrations.Venue: Pisompuruan Square, Tambunan Organiser: Tambunan District Office Contact: +60 87 773 122Festival Silat Nusantara Tambunan22 – 27 July 2019 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K8
Calendar of EventsThe traditional Malay Seni Silat is fast becoming one of Tambunan’s majormartial arts sports. In fact, Tambunan has its very own unique style of silat calledSeni Silat Kuntau Babas which is a blend of traditional Malay Silat andDusun kuntau martial arts.With the growing number ofits member, it is only befittingthat Tambunan play host toone of the interior region's SilatFestival. See the strength andbeauty of the Silat movementsfrom various Silat associationsin Sabah, with performance bythe state’s best Silat masters.Organizer: Tambunan District Office/ TambunanCommunity CollegeEvent Venue: Pisompuruan Square, TambunanContact Person: 087 774225 (Ms. Ellfy), 010 9022606 (Mr. Mohd Munir)Padi View Resthouse.pdf 1 10/31/2018 11:20:39 AMPADI VIEW RESTHOUSE rCohoemapfreosmtSTUNNING VIEW, GREEN SURROUNDING RM95Spacious room - 13ft x 23ftApproximate distance from For Booking :Tambunan Town (Tamu Ground) is 500 metres. +6012-8620109 / +6087-774778 +6012-8620109 / +6013-6888779Address : Padi View Resthouse, Jln Kg. Lintuhun - Papar, [email protected] P.O. Box 145, 89657 Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia http://www.padiview.com Padi View ResthouseLocation : Waze & Google Map : Padi View Resthouse Co. Reg. No : TBN/2017/2052 Coordinates : 5.6754 Deg N, 116.3630 Deg E
Forewords Interview session with President of Tambunan Tourism Association (Patrisha Philip Datuk Kitingan) 1. What makes Tambunan so unique? Dubbed as “Switzerland of the East”, Tambunan’s weather is somehow very relaxing, even when it rains. Perhaps this pleasant and crisp weather is influenced by its location; it is surrounded with mountain valley and lush forest. Travelers can also see by themselves the Rafflesia flower, world's largest flower and the Titan Arum the tallest flower in the world; a massive bell-shaped flower that can grow up to 3 metres in height can also be found in Tambunan. 2. How can Tambunan promote their unique traditions and cultures to out of states travelers? What are ways to preserve their cultures to be maintained as a legacy? Our communities are very rich in traditional beliefs, customs, rituals, stories, crafts, cuisine and music. All of this can be promoted and showcased through festivals, trips to heritage trails, fairs and educating the youth as they play a very important role to pass it on to the future generations. 3. In your opinion, what is the best part of visiting and going around Tambunan? We have identified and prepared villages to be developed for tourism attractions such as the home stay community. The home stay community will be hosting and sharing experience with visitors through their daily activities such as weaving, farming, hiking in the woods for wild edible plants, traditional river fishing, listening to folklore stories of myths and legends and be a part of the merry-makers in the local events. Visitors will experience the rural livelihood and have a better understanding of the traditions and cultures of the local community. 4. How are the locals contributing to the tourism sector in Tambunan? Local communities are regarded as an important asset in tourism development as these activities take place within their premises. They are also regarded as legitimate and moral stakeholders. To achieve more sustainable tourism development, local communities need to participate in decision-making process; they can take part in identifying and promoting tourist resources and attractions. We need them to be active participants rather than passive observers; to be the game-changer. As long as they play host/provide their services, the local people have already contributed to the tourism sector in Tambunan. 5. What is the most popular tourism product/attraction among the tourist in Tambunan? Mahua Waterfalls seems to be on the top list for international tourists and the Sinurambi Viewpoint Tower for domestic tourists. Mahua Waterfalls is famed with its natural beauty; to go here, one must take a stroll for about 500 meters trail starting from Mahua sub-station to the waterfall. Along the way, there are endless towering of trees with huge trunks, wild orchids and insects; making the well-maintained trail is quite picturesque. Some wildflowers like Rafflesia and very rare mushrooms can also be sighted in this area.10
Forewords6. What are some of the local delicacies that you would suggest to out of states travelerswhen they come to Tambunan?There are many local delicacies of both halal and non-halal. One must try Bambangan, anexotic fruit of Borneo that looks like a mango; it can be eaten as a soup when it is mixedwith some hot chili and simmered in water. Next, travelers should try our fresh water tilapiafish that is cooked with ginger, torch ginger and lemongrass. Other recommended dishesare the “sunsulag”; wild taro shoots stir-fried with white pepper chili, dried-salted fish withsome tamarind juice to make it slightly wet and “dukaruk”; a wild-grown yam stems cookedwith coconut milk and fresh water shells/edible snails from the stream or for the popularnon-halal food, it can also be prepared with soup “sinalau bakas” or smoked wild boar.As for the must-try local fruit, I would strongly recommend the “tarap” or “timadang; nativefruit of Borneo. It has a very pleasant smell, unlike durian which has a very strong smell,that looks like a jackfruit from the outside but only the flesh is white color with heavenlytaste.7. In your opinion, what are your aspiration and hopes towards the tourism sector and itsdevelopment in Tambunan?With improved facilities, we shall be able to make more remote places like MountTrusmadi, Mount Koingaran, Mount Sinsing more accessible to adventure-seekers,develop recreational eco-parks and engage more employment opportunities to the locals.Community infrastructure in the form of improved central shopping areas, street lightsand more visible signage, visitor services and accommodation services would contributesignificantly. Our association is working closely with the regional government to ensurethat we can proceed with the planning process for the development of these products.On the transport services, apart from the public transport, the association is encouragingyouth to come forward to join our ride-provider program, a service that works similar tothe GRAB service provider, in order to support the increasing number of tourist. We arealso engaging and training the youth to serve as local tourist guides to ensure that we areprepared to receive more visitors in the coming years. In 2017, there are 86,000 visitorsrecorded had come to Tambunan in response to the Visit Tambunan 2017 campaign.Although, there is a slight drop this year, we are sure to bounce back with a significantincrease in 2019. Our target is to get one million visitors annually by 2025 and makeTambunan as a ‘must visit’ place.8. Last but not least, what is your 5 year plans to promote tourism in Tambunan and itsspecialty to the world?To increase visitor volume, revenue and employment for the local communities, we haveprojected our 5-year plans in line with the campaign for the Visit Rural Tourism SabahBorneo 2025. Our key tourism products which will be focused are touring vacations,cultural tourism and outdoor adventure/eco-tourism. We will achieve our goals throughaction in four key areas:i. Establish smart partnership and coordination – To build outstanding marketingpartnerships at all levels and coordinate marketing roles and responsibilities to enhancethe impact.ii. Focused marketing - Through strategic marketing partnerships, coordinatedcampaigns and innovative use of emerging marketing tools, our tourism businesses willreach new customers and drive long term growth.iii. Outstanding visitor experiences - Tambunan possesses an exceptional mix of tourismproducts – from cultures and traditions to rugged landscapes. We will implement anaction plan for developing and maintaining a sustainable network of recreation trailsthroughout Tambunan, work with the communities on activities to preserve culturalheritageiv. Removing barriers to growth – To push the government to step up actions to improvethe technology and infrastructure in order for Tambunan to grow. 11
History Sabah About Sabah Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia; which consists of 13 states and 3 federal territories. With an area that spans 72,500 square kilometers, topped with a coastline surrounded by the South China Sea in the West, the Sulu Sea in the Northeast and Celebes Sea in the East, Sabah sits on the northern-most part of Borneo; the third largest island in the world. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources and unimaginable beauty of its nature, Sabah is the melting pot of unique and distinctive cultural identities and ethnicity of its people. Local Time Sabah is using the Malaysian Standard Time with UTC Malaysia + 8 hours, it is also 8 hours ahead of GMT. Climate / Temperature The climate throughout the state is considered to be equatorial / tropical - with the estimated temperature of 32°C (90°F) for lowland areas and the average 21°C (70°F) for highlands area, Sabah is typically hot and sunny all year round. In a tropical climate, it is advisable to dress comfortably in lightweight linens / cottons, T-shirt, shorts, or jeans to avoid overheating. Rainfall is also common throughout the year, but it can be considerably wetter during the North East Monsoon (October - February) season, and hotter/drier between May and September. Flora and Fauna Did you know that wildlife studies made by the National Geographic revealed that 10 sq. kilometres of Sabah has more flora and fauna than North America and Europe combined? The jungles in Sabah are classified as rainforest, which scientists estimate it at 130 million years old - one of the oldest in the world! Kinabalu Park covers an area around Mount Kinabalu spanning about 754 sq. kilometers. It is a botanical paradise to the most remarkable assemblage of plants species and wildlife in the world. The vegetation in the park can change from lush tropical lowland forest to cool alpine meadow and everything else in between. You can also found the world’s largest flower, Rafflesia here in Kinabalu Park. This parasitic flower takes about 9 months to bloom, but only live for 3-4 days emitting an unpleasant odor that attracts insects such as flies for pollination.12
HistoryNot only that, the world's largest pitcher plant (the insect eatingNepenthes Rajah), which is endemic to Mount Kinabalu can alsobe found here as well. Even though most mammals live in thelowlands around Kinabalu Park, primates like langurs, monkeys,gibbons, tarsiers and the slow loris have all been spotted in the park.The park is also home to other larger animals like the rare clouded leopard,bearded pig, sun bear, 3 species of deer (the large sambar deer, the smallerbarking deer and the tiny mouse deer), and other smaller mammals likeshrews, squirrels, as well as a few species of insectivores like the moon rat.Kinabalu National Park was officially designated by UNESCO asa World Heritage Site in the year of 2000 due to the park's highbiodiversity with representatives from more than half of the familiesof all flowering plants and many threatened and vulnerable animals.LanguagesBahasa Malaysia is the national language which is spoken widely acrossethnicities in Sabah. However, the way Sabahans speak Bahasa Malaysia iswith the Sabahan Baku dialect; which is a little different from West Malaysiandialect. Apart from the respective indigenous mother-tongue such asKMaahduaa Rzaainnfo,reDstuPasraudnise, .Bpdaf j1au11,/a7/n20d18M2:u07r:u19tP;MMandarin and some Chinese dialects likethe Hakka and Cantonese, as well as the English language are also spoken here.Kg. Katagayan Patau, • Dr. Juanis : 016 - 5521905 @ [email protected] Terjun Mahua, Perti Surat 689,89657 Tambunan Sabah Malaysia. • En. Sulaiman : 016 - 2871564 • Joene : 014 - 3734040Mahua Rainforest Paradise (WHOLLY OWNED BY KOPERASI MAHUA HOMESTAY BHD)
History Cultures & Arts With a population that is heterogeneous and culturally diverse with more than 30 different ethnic races, one can expect to be enchanted by different traditions and customs that have long been part of Sabahans' daily lives. One can expect to see tribal dresses of various styles that have retained much of theiroriginal design and colour. Traditional costumes also included antiquebeads, necklaces and belts, antique hand-engraved silver jewellery, andbelts of old silver dollar coins that are handed down from generation togeneration. Other than that, each indigenous group also has their ownunique dance, music and handicraft that differentiate them from each other.Common CustomsSabah, which is also a part of Malaysia,still retain customary practices likedressing modestly and removingshoes before entering a mosque ortemples- namely places of worship.Although handshakes are generallyacceptable, however, some Muslimladies may acknowledge introductionsto gentlemen merely by nodding andsmiling. Smiling and nodding the head is the simplest way to greet anyone,moreover there is no chance of getting into trouble with such gesture. Sabah history Often called the ‘Land Below the Wind’ because it lies below the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and is East Malaysia’s second largest state with an area of 74,500 sq.km. Sabah has the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east, together Sabah, Sarawakand Brunei was under the British colonial since the early 1800and still having the influence as in language and architecture.14
HistoryThe climate is tropical and equable, but humid.Near the coast the minimum temp is between30 – 33C, while at higher altitudes it is cooler, although not even MountKinabalu reaches the snowline. Humidity generally is between70-95and annual rainfall varies greatly from place to place from 60-160 inches roughly, despite the heavy rainfall, there are generallyperiods of bright sunshine daily, monsoon expected end of the year.Mountainous and largely carpeted by lush tropical rainforests, itspopulation of nearly two million is made up of 32 colourful ethniccommunities. As main ethnic group are Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau and Murut.Sabah flagThe current flag of the state of Sabah,in Malaysia, was adopted on 16 September1988. It is red, white and three differentshades of blue. The mountain is in thecanton as in the 1963 flag, but now indark blue on a light blue background.The field is medium blue over white over red. The mountain shownon the flag (and the state’s coat of arms) is Mount Kinabalu.The five different colours represent the five divisions in Sabah. 15
History16
History 17
Tambunan at a GlanceTambunanat a GlanceHidden gems of SabahTambunan is one of the 26 districts in Sabah, surrounded by beautifulpaddy rice fields and lush Borneo Rainforest; making it a hilly and tranquildestination. It is no wonder Tambunan is nicknamed as “Switzerland of theEast”. It is located 81 kilometres east of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu (towhich is connected by the Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan-Keningau Highway,48 kilometres south of Ranau and 48 kilometres north of Keningau).At an average altitude of 750 metres, this valley town, which is part ofthe Crocker Range, experiences a mild tropical climate all year long.Tambunan also produced best quality of rice wine, which is lihing and tapai.Climate CTambunan has a tropical climate. Tambunan is a city with a Msignificant rainfall. Even in the driest month in Tambunan, there Yis a lot of rain. This location is classified as Af by Köppen and CMGeiger. The average annual temperature in Tambunan is 24.3 °C.History MYNestled among the green curves of the Crocker hills, Tambunan, about CY81kilometre south from Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan is Sabah's rice basket. CMYThe region was the last stronghold of Mat Salleh, who became a folk hero Kfor rebelling against the British in the late 19th century. Sadly Mat Sallehlater blew his reputation by negotiating a truce, which so outraged hisown people that he was forced to flee to the Tambunan plain, where hewas eventually killed. The Dusun people who live here are renowned fortheir fierce fighting against the Japanese during World War II and past18
Tambunan at a Glance headhunting practices. Apart from surrounded with lush forest, there are many bamboo trees that can be seen in Tambunan. This is because during British colonial period, they plant 20 bamboos sprouts for every bamboo cuts. Economy Since there is no significant large industry in Tambunan, most Tambunan people makes their living by planting paddy or doing other agricultural based economy. Tambunan Golf Club.pdf 1 11/23/2018 5:25:13 PMAddressJalan Solibog, KM92 Keningau - Kota Kinabalu,89657, Tambunan, Sabah, MalaysiaTel | 087-773 115 (Mr Pius Amir) Fax | 087-773 102 Email | [email protected] 019 822 7262
Pulau Gaya INANAM 500Kota Kinabalu 1 Tanjung Aru 3 Petagas Putatan A2 KinarutPapar A2 Route by Car20 Map shows distance between Kota Kinabalu & Tambunan by Ca
Nabalu 22 500 1 h 55 min74.6 km 500 500 Tambunanar 21
TransportationTransportation The Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is located about 8 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. The airport serves the city of Kota Kinabalu as well as the entire west coast of Sabah. It is one of the busiest airports in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport with around 4 million passengers using this airport annually for domestic and international flights. Travelling around Sabah has never been difficult. There are a few choices of transportation to get around Sabah to choose from; one have to do some planning beforehand to avoid stress as well as saving time on the journey. How to get to Tambunan from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) KKIA to Padang Merdeka Terminal (bus and taxi terminal) For backpackers, the cheapest way to travel to Tambunan is by bus. In general, Kota Kinabalu has four bus terminals, namely Wawasan Terminal,22
Transportation Padang Terminal, and City Park Terminal. Therefore, knowing which one to go is very important if travelers don't want to miss their destinations. To go Tambunan, travelers need to take a bus or taxi from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Padang Merdeka Bus Terminal. Airport Bus It costs RM 5 (one way) from KKIA to Padang Merdeka Bus Terminal Grab In this modern era, travelers can also opt for Grab from KKIA to Padang Merdeka Terminal. The price is depending on the peak hour. Padang Merdeka Terminal to Tambunan As the name implies, Padang Merdeka Terminal is located near the old field (padang) below the Signal hill. It is a bus terminal where travelers can take buses to most city/towns in West Coast and Interior of Sabah. The best time to catch a bus to Tambunan is in the early morning when many buses are scheduled to leave between 7am and 10am. Some buses do leave in the afternoon but the frequencies then would be much lesser compared with those in the morning. Although there are some large buses, most are amcaltauy-atamllybunmani-nhoimveasntays.pdwf h1ic10h/31o/2n01ly8 2d:4e5p:53aPrMt once they are full. You would end up waiting for an hour.WelTcoammebtounan Homestay An experiential learning and experience with the local community of Tambunan Sabah Malaysia Borneo. PN. JOANNA KITINGAN DEPUTY PRESIDENT SABAH HOMESTAY ASSOCIATION 014-6555043/ COORDINATORTAMBUNANVILLAGE HOMESTAYEmail Contact : [email protected] Address : Kg. Keranaan, 89657, Tambunan, Sabah, MalaysiaH/P (Mobile) : +6014 6555043 Home Tel. : +60 88 764052 Whatsapp : +601283330853Facebook : TambunanVillageHomestay
The IndigenousPeople of Tambunan24
People of SabahThe indigenous people of SabahPeople from Sabah are generally called Sabahans and identify themselves assuch. Sabah is home to many more indigenous groups than Sarawak, thereis an estimate of 42 ethnic groups with over 200 sub-ethnic groups withtheir own language, culture and beliefs which predicted to be increasemore in the future due to high interracial marriage and recent migration.This includes the Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Murut, which are the threelargest ethnic populations in the state. The Kadazan-Dusun comprise of30% of the population, cementing their status as the largest ethnic group,although this group is actually two separate tribes. The Kadazan and Dusunwere grouped together because they share the same language and culture.1. Kadazan-Dusun - the largest indigenous ethnic group in SabahKadazan-Dusun people make up about 25% ofSabah's population and they are made up oftwo groups - Kadazan and Dusun. Combined,Kadazan-Dusun has about 40 sub-groups underit and each has its own language and tradition. Traditionally, the Kadazans lived in agriculture. longhouses and were involved inagricultural activities like planting riceand conducting nomadic slash-and-burnThe Dusun people, on the other hand, could be found living in singletraditional houses and also longhouses. They were well-known fortheir headhunting practices and occupation as hunters and farmers.While a majority of the Kadazan-Dusun community has converted toCatholicism, a significant number of them still remain as animists. Theirtraditionalanimisticreligionisledby the belief that spirits ruled overthe plantingand harvesting of rice, an important occupation among the Kadazan-Dusun people.In line with that, the Kadazan-Dusun people celebrate Pesta Kaamatan,a celebration to honour the rice spirit and express gratitude for thebounties of the year. The festival lasts for the whole month of May,ending with a public holiday on 30 and 31 May annually in Sabah. Pesta Kaamatan will see a number of rituals and customs conductedby bobohizan orbobolian, who are considered to be the high priests orpriestesses of the community. Note that the priests and priestesses areaddressed differently in different districts, for example, in the Tambunandistrict, they are known as bobolian, while in Tuaran they are referred toas tantagas. 25
People of Sabah Kadazandusun beliefs The Kadazandusun were traditionally animists but have been influenced by both Christianity and Islam. Many of those that the government counts as Christians come from a church tdarition where any child that is born into a family that calls itself Christian is also considered to be Christian. Those holding to traditional religion today believe in a spirit world that is especially important in the cycle of rice cultivation as well as major events in the cycle of life. Although believing in a supreme being who created everything, they also attribute spirits to many things in nature such as birds, animals and plants. The ‘rice spirit’ in particular, figures prominently in their beliefs and practices. Some of the Kadazandusun people groups are noted for their use of bobohizan ‘priestesses’ for controlling the spirits. Kadazandusun Language The language used by Bobohizan is archaic whose meanings have been buried in time and known only to the few remaining Bobohizan these days. The vital aspect of Magavau is the paraphernalia used to summon Bambaazon. The sacrament of Magavau may vary according to district practices but the ceremony always ends with food offerings to Bambaazon and merry making for the village folks. 2. Murut - the third largest indigenous group in Sabah Murut is an indigenous group that has around 29 sub- ethnic groups settled in the northern inland region of Borneo. They can mostly be found in areas around Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Pensiangan and along the river areas of Sapulut, Padas, and Kinabatangan. Murut literally means the ‘hill people’. Similar to the Ibans, Murut people were once popular headhunters but have since abandoned their old traditions to make way for farming and hunting instead. They are also involved in the cultivation of rice, tapioca, fishing, and blowpipe hunting. It was also said that the Murut people have extensive knowledge in botanical healing methods and each community usually has its own healers that can cure illnesses such as diarrhoea, diabetes, and high blood pressure. There are around 15 languages and 21 dialects within the Murut community but the most commonly used one is Tanggal. The Murut people celebrate Kalimaran festival, an annual festival that celebrates the richness and uniqueness of the Murut culture, focusing on their craftsmanship activities.26
People of SabahMurut beliefsThe Murut were the last of Sabah’s ethnic groups to renounce headhunting. Aswith the Iban of Sarawak, collecting heads of enemies traditional served a veryimportant role in Murut spiritual beliefs. For example, a man could only getmarried after he presented at least one head to the family of the desired girl.The Murut were shifting cultivators of hill padi and tapioca, supplementingtheir diet with blowpipe hunting and with some fishing. They live incommunal longhouses, usually near rivers, using the rivers as their highways.Most have now converted to Christianity, with about a fifth of the populationbeing 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 Argus pheasant feathers.Women wore a black sleeveless blouse and sarong, which fell just belowthe knees. Like most of the other indigenous groups in Sabah, the Murutdecorated their clothing with distinctive beadwork and also made belts out ofold silver coins. Another belt made of reddish-brown glass beads plus yellowand blue beads were hung loosely around the waist.Murut wedding or funeral feasts can last several days. Ancient Chinese jarshold a prominent status in Murut customs. Jars are also a place of spirits, andlarger jars were formerly used as coffins.3. ChineseForming the largest non-indigenous groupis the Chinese; many of them have arrivedeven since before the arrival of British tonorthern Borneo as been supported onboth Brunei and Sulu sultanates records,as well from British records itself. Theearliest documentation of Chinesesettlement in Sabah dates back in the 7thcentury on the Kinabatangan River banks. However, the links between northernBorneo and China could be much longer since during the Han dynasty. Themigration of Chinese to northern Borneo saw a significant increase followingthe establishment of North Borneo Chartered Company in 1881. At the time,the British considered the native populations were too small to boost NorthBorneo economy.Until this day, the Chinese are very important to the state economy as theiractivity in engaging in business related activities. The Chinese in Sabah canbe divided into three main groups of Hakka, Cantonese and Hokkien people.The Hakka formed the majority of Chinese in Sabah, followed by Cantoneseand Hokkien. There is also a community of northern Chinese in the state, withmost of them identified themselves as Tianjin ren (people from Tianjin). Allthe Chinese community is united under the Sabah United Chinese Chambersof Commerce (SUCC), an organization that promotes national unity andcontinuous contribution towards the state economy. 27
People of Tambunan Way of Life and Religion Historically the Dusun people of Tambunan were not united as a tribe but kept to their own villages. More often than not, the people of these villages fought for land, and the Dusun warriors of each village are fierce head hunters as well. Whenever the warriors from a village come back from their battles against neighboring villages, they bring home the heads of their enemies as trophies. However, all this ended when the Murut tribe from Tenom started to attack the Dusun people of Tambunan. Tamadon and Gombunan, two Dusun leaders and warriors, united the Dusun people of Tambunan to fight off the Tosudung tribe. From then on, the Dusun people of Tambunan were united as a whole, no longer fighting with each other. This is also where Tambunan got its name, as a combination of the names of these two Dusun tribal Chiefs; “Tam” from Tamadon, and “Bunan” from Gombunan. The statues of these two Dusun Chiefs can be seen at the main entrance of the Tambunan Weekly Tamu grounds. The people of Tambunan used to practice animism, and they worshipped spirits of nature, especially the rice spirit. They even have priestesses called bobolian, which perform prayers during weddings or rice harvesting season. However, all of these changed when Christian Missionaries started arriving in Tambunan and taught the locals about Christianity. Nowadays, most of the Tambunan people are Christians of various sects, the majority being Roman 28
People of TambunanCatholics. In the moderndays, the bobolian stillexist but they mainlyperform traditional Dusunblessings in the form ofsongs during the harvestseason. Other religionsare also practiced here in Tambunan, such as Islam, with Muslims being thesecond largest group of people here; and Buddhism, mainly practiced by thelocal Chinese.The people of Tambunan have special affinities with the jungle that surroundsthem, especially the elderly people, whohave taught the youngsters the “ways ofthe jungle”. The people of Tambunan stillbelieve in old customs and rules to abidewhenever entering the jungle such asnot saying anything rude, being too loud,eating, drinking or smoking, or disturbingcertain areas of the jungle. These rules,in turn, are also used by the local guidesthat bring tourists who venture into thejungle or when climbing mountains. Theybelieve that breaking these rules wouldresult in dire consequences such asgetting strange illnesses, or even worse,getting lost in the jungle.Bamboo used to be vital in the lives of the Tambunan people, as they used it for nearly everything; from building houses, bridges, household tools and furniture to musical instruments. So much so, that during the late 1930s, Tambunan was almost depleted of its bamboo trees; which led to an order issued by then Native Chief, the late OKK Taliban Dandiong, that each bamboo tree cut, two bamboo shoots must be planted in its place. As the time went by, the use of bamboo became lesser, and so bamboo became a dominant plant in Tambunan, leading it to one of its many nicknames; which is “Bamboo Valley”. 29
Musical Instruments Musical InstrumentsTraditional musical instruments center, Kampung TikolodSompotonSompoton is the mostfascinating of all the Sabahannative musical instruments.It is made a double raftof eight bamboo pipesinserted into a gourd. A smalllamella of polod palm (like atiny bungkau) is inserted inthe side of each sounding pipenear its base. The pipes arefitted into a hole on one side of the gourd and sealed with beewax.The lamellae lie inside the gourd and provide the sound of thecompleted instrument. The pipes are bound with thin strands ofrattan, whereby one of the pipes has no sound; it is merely thereto balance the bundle.By blowing and sucking the gourd's mouth to activate the sodi, the player can produce a soft-sweet harmonious and continuous sound, unlike the bagpipe. The sompoton can be played as a solo instrument for personal entertainment or in groups to accompany dancing.30
Musical InstrumentsBungkauBungkau is carvedfrom polod wood palm stem, and it is eithershaved or peeled to obtain a two toned design.Often bungkau are fine tuned with a piece ofinsect wax. Many bungkau have a bamboo tubeas a container. This musical instrument wasoriginally played with friends; as their source ofentertainment. Bungkau doesn’t have a specificsize; but it is approximately about 6 to 8 inches.To play the bungkau, hold it before the openedmouth and strike the end of the instrument withthe thumb. The fine strip of wood in the centreof the bungkau or the lamella is made to vibrate rhythmically when the thumbstrikes the end. A wide range of frequencies can be obtained by varying theshape of the mouth and the position of the tongue while breathing.TongkungonTongkungon is made from a large bamboo tube with thin strips cut in its surfaceto form its strings, which can be tuned with tiny pieces of wood/ cane at each end of the tongkungon. The names and number of the strings, as well as the sound correspond to those of the gongs. Generally, there are four to eight strings, but a skilful player who makes their own tongkungon might opt for up to 15 strings. Small pieces of cane or wood are placed under the cords at each end to alter their length and thus their pitch. Tongkungon music is soft and melodious. The instrument is played for personal entertainment and relaxation. Clothing 31
Clothing Kadazandusun Kadazandusun – women “Sinuangga” and “tapi” is known as the traditional garments for Kadazandusun women. They wear short shirts which are sinuangga, wrap-skirt tapi and batik scarf fitted with belt himpogot (silver dollar coins) and some gold jewellery such as necklace (hamai), bangles (gohong), earrings (simbong), ring (sinsing) and brooch (pawn). The basic material for making sinuangga is black commercial fabric, silk or velvet for ceremonial occasions. It is made from cotton for daily wear. Kadazandusun – men As for the men, their traditional costume is almost similar to the ladies. The black long-sleeved shirt (Gaung) decorated with gold trimming and gold buttons. The black trousers worn with the shirt is called souva, which also has gold details and trimmings. The men also traditionally don black waist sash (Kaking or toogot). The unique aspect of the men costume is that they are to wear headgears out of woven dastar cloth that is folded and twisted in many ways that leave only a small corner of the cloth sticking out. Murut The Murut is an indigenous ethnic group, comprising 29 sub-ethnic groups inhabiting northern inland regions of Borneo. 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 paddy fields and tapioca, supplementing their diet with blowpipe hunting and with some fishing. They usually live in near rivers, using the rivers as their highways. Most have now converted to Christianity, with about a fifth of the population being Muslims. However, they32
Clothingstill maintain their culture.Murut - menTraditional dress for men was a jacket made of tree bark (Artocarpus tamaran),a red loincloth, and a headdress decorated with Argus pheasant feathers.Babaru puputul Babaru puputul is a bark vest. The bark comes from the puputul tree(Artocarpus kunstleri). It is cut length wise to fashion sleeveless jacketsand loincloths. The material of the jackets is strengthened with transversedarning. Formerly, the fiber of pineapple leaves was used. It may be decoratedwith simple beadwork motifs.Aba puputul Aba puputul is a loincloth of approximatelytwo meters long; made of inner bark of thepuputul tree. The fabric is passed betweenthe legs and wound around the waist.Modern cotton aba (aba ra kain) are cutas shorts with lengths of cloth attached tofront and back, more or less like an apron.Red cloth is common because red is usedto symbolise bravery. Cotton appliqué ofzigzag motifs (rinda-rinda or rinipon kapit).Tupi'sinulatan Headband of tree-bark decorated withfeathers, preferably of the tawou (Arguspheasant), or a pair of sinikot. Murut - women Women wore a black sleeveless blouse andsarong, which fell just below the knees.Like most of the other indigenous groups inSabah, the Murut decorated their clothingwith distinctive beadwork and also made belts out of old silver coins. Anotherbelt made of reddish-brown, yellow and blue beads was hung loosely aroundthe waist. 33
Historical Places Historical Places in Tambunan Strategically located between the Crocker Range and the Trus Madi range, the district of Tambunan is one of the most picturesque towns in Sabah. Not only that, Tambunan is also one of the most fertile lands as it is abundant with rivers. According to the history that was passed down orally, Tambunan began as a sporadic cluster of villages belonging to different tribes of the Dusun people that settled here from places such as Nunuk Ragang. Two powerful warriors, namely Tamadon and Gombunan, came from Nunuk Ragang and settled down with their families in this valley. A rival tribe by the name of Tosudung tribe came and fought with Gombunan. As his influence grew, Tosudung tribe retreated. Unfortunately, on one fateful day, the Tosudung tribe came and ambushed Gombunan while he was tending to his farm alone. He was captured and killed by Tosudung. Tamadon, Gombunan’s fellow warrior from Nunuk Ragang took revenge and led Gombunan’s warrior to fend the enemies off. The victory gave the people new hope, and named the valley after the two revered warriors and chiefs; Tam from Tamadon and –bunan from Gombunan, making Tambunan a peaceful district to this day. Apart from this legend, Tambunan also has a lot of historical places. Tugu peringatan Mat Salleh The Mat Salleh memorial was opened in 1999 at the exact site where he was killed at Kampung Tibabar, Tambunan. This memorial is a tribute to remember the local hero, Datu Paduka Mat Salleh who stood up and led a rebellion against the Company’s rule during the British Colonial times. In 1895, Mat Salleh made a complaint to the Company regarding new rules imposed on Sugut River but the Company ignored him. At the same time, 34
Historical Placesthe Company was unhappy with the fact thatMat Salleh was collecting taxes from the localpopulace. Soon after the complaint, the Companyburnt down his village. In 1897, he retaliated byrazing the Company’s harbor at Pulau Gaya.Immediately after the razing, he ordered a fortto be constructed in Ranau. Ranau is a townlocated in West Coast Division, in the center ofSabah, east Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The Company tried to capture the fort but theywere met with heavy resistance and failed. Thatfailure prompted the Company to burn the fort.The confrontation ended with Mat Salleh’s forces retreating into North Borneohinterland. There were also skirmishes near Gaya Island, Inanam and Menggatal.Inanam is a town in Sabah, Malaysia. Menggatal is a Malaysia town and districton the west coast of Sabah, on the outskirts of the capital, Kota Kinabalu. Later, the Company offered Mat Salleh peace. Mat Salleh agreed. Unfortunatelyfor him, the truce with the British so outraged his own people that he was forcedto flee to Tambunan. The British later would let Mat Salleh control Tambunan.He built a new fort at their; the fort still stands today. Tambunan is a townlocated in Interior Division of Sabah, east Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Despite the peace treaty, the Company decided to take over Tambunan fromMat Salleh in 1899. Mat Salleh refused and thus, hostility was renewed. OnJanuary 31, 1900, he was shot dead in Kampung Teboh, Tambunan. His deathleft the rebellion movement leaderless and effectively ended it. P Kampung Tibabar, Tambunan€ 9 am – 5 pmKota Mat Sator Museum It’s been said that your journey is incomplete if you haven’t visited Kota Mat Sator Museum. Who is Mat Sator, you’d ask? Mat Sator is Mat Salleh’s accomplice. Mat Sator managed to escape when his fort was destroyed and still pursued the fight against the colonist after Mat Salleh’s death. Mat Sator’s city was built apart from Mat Salleh’s fortress, it was said that his builders were meticulous and sophisticated because it was hardly traceable and difficult to destroy by then colonists. Mat Sator is a fortress built to accommodate women (Dang Bandang or Dayang Bandang, MatSalleh’s wife) and became the center of matrimony by Mat Salleh. Its locationis very strategic as it is built on the banks of the Sunsoron River which is theirsource of water supply. Attacks were struck down to Mat Sator City, after thesurrounding villages had been destroyed.€ Mon – Fri (9 am – 5 pm) 35
Historical Places Tambunan Historical Places Tambunan is full of histories and legends, and historical sites are abundant in this district. Some of the more known and easily accessible sites are managed by the Sabah Museum. Stop by Kampung Sunsuron to visit the Watu Tinuridong or known as Tinuridong Stone Monument, one of what used to be a series of huge rocks that made the fortress of the villagers during Mat Salleh’s attack on the village. According to oral tradition of Kampung Sunsuron, this stone was found in the late 19th century, it was the time where Mat Salleh revolted against the British ruling. In 1898, Mat Salleh agreed to ceasefire with British North Borneo and stayed in Tambunan. However, Mat Salleh was hostile to Kampung Sunsuron, and he raided the village. Mat Salleh was well-equipped with weapons such as cannon, so Kampung Sunsuron was asking for help from British government. The men of Kampung Sunsuron also prepared to defend themselves by digging a circular hollowed-out area, which has a circumference of 40 Meters, and used the earth to erect ramparts around it. The excavated area was deep enough to hide standing men behind the wall. While digging they saw this large and flat stone and thought it’s an excellent shield for firearm. They erected the stone to make it stand. Then two priestesses (bobolian) performed a ceremony to invite the spirit to reside in this stone as a guardian to keep the village away from any sickness and harm. P Watu Tinuridong € 5.742725, 116.378539. Right next to it is the Rumah Bambu which was built entirely out of natural materials. Rumah Bambu is the oldest bamboo house in Tambunan that still exist and going strong until today. It was originally a real residence but now vacant after it was gazetted by Sabah Museum as a heritage house. The bamboo house is raised on hardwood stilts, sometimes large river stones are used instead. Though the window is small, the translucent quality of bamboo allows enough light to get inside the house.36
Historical PlacesThe beauty of this house is it was first constructed without using any nail.The wood, bamboo and poles are lashed together with rattan strips. However,after undergone maintenance, some nails were added to the structure. Forsafety reason, young girl would sleep in an attic, a small platform built abovethe house’s main cross lintel and parents would remove the ladder that givesaccess to the room.P Rumah bamboo€ Opening hours: Mon – Fri (9am – 5 pm)Batu GongIn Malay language, Batu means Rock and Gong is an idiophones musicalinstrument. Batu Gong in Tambunan is unique; it is a few boulders that looklike natural ordinary rocks that can produce 7 different sounds but similarto the gong of the gong community in Sabah. The discovery of Batu Gongis by accident; it is been said that there was a straightening project ofPegalan River in the year of 1995. A fewboulders were dug out from the river andplaced at the river bank and nobody botheredabout those rocks before. One day, the adultsfound that the kids playing with boulder byhitting it with stone, to produce Gong-likesound. The Batu Gong is then placed insidea simple hut built with zinc roof, brick walland iron fence. However, visitor who wishesto visit this gong stone must complywith the rules outlined by the olderelders.P Kampung Solibog, TambunanQ 5.623135, 116.339694 Mon – Fri (9 am – 5 pm) 37
A Bit of Culture38
A Bit of CultureA Bit of CultureLearn and experience the daily lives of Kadazandusun people in Tambunanin Tambunan Traditional Village & Food Hub. Here, you can escape from thehustle and bustle of city life and immerse with your surroundings and do alot of daily activities such as paddy planting, learn how to make a traditionalcrafts and most importantly, enjoy the local traditional foods.Tambunan Traditional Village & Food HubKg TombotuonFirstly, make a stop at Tambunan Traditional Village& Food Hub located in Kampung Tombotuan.Upon arrival, you will bind to be greeted byfriendly locals of Kampung Tombotuan. One ofthe things that you learn here is how to harvestthe rice traditionally. This requires a special skillset and techniques because they use a traditionaltray that can eliminate the rice husks. To make your visitmore enjoyable, visitors may learn the art of making lihing, a type of local rice 39 39
A Bit of Culture wine.For those who are keen to learn about handicraft making,beads making demo by the local community is available and some ready-made handicrafts on display are also available for purchase.Another attraction is the Kadazandusun traditional games made out of bamboo and coconut shell, a culture that is still valued by the local community and they believe such sports can foster greater unity among the people in the village. € Mrs Elizabeth Francis (014 3258553) Kg Minodung Situated in Kampung Minodung, is another Traditional Village & Food Hub where you may learn and experience about the Kadazandusun daily life. Minodung Traditional Guest House is an initiative from the villagers to expose travelers with the traditional food and activities. It is located near the river and functions as a home stay for travellers to experience the local lives. € Mrs Monia & Angeline Stanis (011 33717395) Mr John Simin (013 5588143) Tambunan Ginger & Traditional Musical Instruments Hub Kg Tikolod Kampung Tikolod, situated about 18km from the town center, is undoubtedly quite far, but by no means lesser compared to the others villages in the Tambunan district. In fact, this village is the largest producer of ginger, and the center for making traditional musical instruments. Ginger, a well-known herb throughout the world, is farmed abundantly here by local farmers, becoming one of Sabah's main suppliers of ginger. Travelers can pay a visit and learn about their musical instrument that is made from natural resources. Tikolod is also well-known for its production of traditional musical instruments in the state, such as bungkau, sompoton and tongkungon to name a few, that are mainly made of bamboo.Visitors can see for themselves how these instruments are made by hand and learn how to play them.40
Places of Worship 41
Places of Worship Kadazandusun is a term assigned to the classification of two indigenous peoples in Tambunan, which are the combination of ethnic groups of Kadazan and Dusun. The majority of the Kadazandusun are Christians, mainly Roman Catholics and some Protestants. Islam is also practiced by a growing minority in Tambunan. The influence of the English-speaking missionaries in British North Borneo during the late 19th Century, particularly the Catholic Mill Hill mission, resulted in Christianity, in its Roman Catholic form, rising to prominence amongst Kadazan. A minority are from other Christian denominations, such as Anglicanism and Borneo Evangelical Church. As you explore Tambunan, you will notice that there are many church signs along the way. Gereja St. Frances Cabrini, Kg Nambayan Jalan Tanaki, 89650 Tambunan, Sabah Gereja SIB Tambunan, Mogong Jalan Keningau – Tambunan, 89650 Tambunan, Sabah42
Places of WorshipGereja Holy Cross, TobohKampung Toboh, 89650 Tambunan, SabahGereja St. Theresa Tambunan89650 Tambunan, SabahMasjid Daerah Tambunan500, 89650 Tambunan, Sabah 43
Eco Tourism
Eco TourismNatural wondersTambunan is a treasure trove of delights; waiting to be discoveredDubbed as ‘Switzerland of the East”, Tambunan district is surrounded with lushforest and paddy fields. The district also filled with unique flora and fauna thatcannot be found elsewhere in the world. Additionally, the Tambunan area alsohas a river that can help to brighten the temperature, namely Sg. Kairangan,Sg. Pagalan and Sg.Tondulu. A journey of exploring Tambunan could be onething; travelers can enjoy and uncover their hidden gems by jungle trekking, trythe adrenaline pumping activity such as water rafting, admiring the Tambunanview from a bird’s eye view, have a fish spa and even take a dip in the waterfalls.As they say, take only memories (and pictures, too!), leave only footprints!Jungle trekkingJungle trekking is one of the must try activities while exploring Tambunan. Two ofthe more incredible nature trails to explore are the Minduk Sirung Trail and Salt Trail.Minduk Sirung TrailMindung Sirung Trail simple facts:(Gunung Alab sub-station >> Mahua Waterfall sub-station)Hiking trail distance: 12 kilometersDuration: 8 to 9 hoursGetting here: Park your car in Gunung Alab sub-station; alternatively youcan call the Gunung Alab sub-station Office to help with the car arrangementTip: Don’t forget to wear proper hiking attires and anti-leech socks.Calling for all adventure buffs, jungle trekking through Minduk Sirung Trail isjust for you! Located in the centre of Crocker Range Park, the Minduk SirungTrail is a jungle trail (mostly descending trail) that connects to Mount Alabsub-station to Mahua Waterfalls sub-station. Enjoy the stunning view of theCrocker Range Park and valleys below as you hike about 12 kilometers fromMount Alab sub-station as your starting point. Travelers are bound to begreeted by big trees, an abundance of birds, orchids and pitcher plants whilst 45
Eco Tourism trekking. The journey ends at Mahua Waterfalls, where you can take a dip in the cooling waterfall at the finishing point. Refreshing! Any enquiries on this trail please contact: Crocker Range Park Office: 087 302011 Website: www.sabahparks.org.my Salt Trail Salt Trail simple facts: (Kg Tikolod, Tambunan >> Kg Inobong, Penampang) Hiking trail distance: 34 kilometers Duration: 4 days Tip: The Salt Trail is ideal for small groups who want to experience the beauty of Borneo jungle A journey of exploring Tambunan through Salt Trail is unique in many ways. Expect to savor undeniably stunning view of Crocker Range Park and get a glimpse into the local people lives in the olden days. Derived from its name, Salt Trail was originally used by the village traders of Tambunan in the olden days for trading goods in exchange for salt. Although there are some accessible villages that are connected by roads, the Salt Trail is still the only access route to the more remote villages in the park, particularly those located near the upper part of the Tambunan and Papar River. The trail starts from Kg Tikolod, Tambunan to Inobong, Penampang and it takes about 4 days to complete the trail. Officially, the jungle trail is said to be 34 kilometers long, which consists of some serious jungle trekking across mountain peaks and muddy river valleys and through some dense Borneo Jungle. Whilst trekking, there could be many opportunities to find bizarre but wonderful species of birds, insects, mammals and reptiles. The trail linked to a several local Dusun villages spread all over the Crocker Range Park area and it includes overnight sleepovers in the real local village; this is where travelers can get the chance to sample the wonderful local food. Any enquiries on this trail please contact: Crocker Range Park Office 087 302011 Website: www.sabahparks.org.my Tambunan Rompon White Water Rafting Looking for exciting activities to do in Tambunan? Then, head to Kg Rompon and challenge yourself with water rafting! Water rafting is an exhilarating activity using a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. Three main words you would need to know before venturing into this adrenaline-pumping activity is rapid, white water and raft. Rapid is the turbulent areas of a river, white water occurs when a river forms bubbly and frothy water which is white,46
Eco Tourismdue to rapids. Raft is used to navigate through the river. Experience adrenalinefueled journey along the river with the scenic waterway and naturally formedrock along the river. Note: Water rafting is subject to the water level and weather condition. If rafting is not permitted, an alternative date may be suggested.Kampung Rompon, 89657 Tambunan014 674 2728/ 013 886 6732Tambunan River ‘Tagal’ systemTagal is a term used that gives themeaning of prohibition of taking anyresources in certain areas; this includesfishing and catching any types of livingthings in the river. The tagal system isoperated by dividing rivers into threetypes of tagal zone; green zone, yellowzone and red zone. The prohibition isto preserve the living things in the river.However, the prohibition will be liftedfor three days in a year to allow the community living within theconfined area to fish within the green and yellow zones. Some of the rivershave tame fishes that are used to humans; you can touch, pet, give themfood and even swim with them. It’s like a spa fish but with a twist; the wholeriver is yours to have fun with the fishes!Tagal Sg Pagalan contact info:Fisheries Department, District of Tambunan(Mr Dennis Anthony – 087 774 298)Tambunan Viewing Point – MenaraSinurambiAlso known as Pongimpaan NuluhonDandab, Sinurambi Tambunan (TambunanViewing Point) is a brainchild of FormerDeputy Chief Minister of Sabah, TanSri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. The uniquedesign of the tower really stands out as itrepresents the shape of wakid (wakid is amultipurpose bamboo basket used by thevillagers in the olden days to carry fruits,firewood, vegetables and paddy stalks).Enjoy the scenic view and the beauty ofrice fields in the district on the 45-feethigh above the sea level. Feel the airbreeze from the Crocker Range and MountTrus Madi and if the weather is good, travelers cansee the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia. Not onlythat, it offers a breathtaking view of the paddy fields and Tambunan town. 47
Eco TourismContact info:Tambunan District CouncilTel: 087 770126Tambunan District OfficeTel: 087 774225Email: [email protected]: 89650, TambunanOpening hours: Everyday 8 am - 5pm Getting here: Take a car and drive up to Bukit Dandab Papaya TRIG located at Kampung Dalungan. Alternatively, you can climb up the hill to get to the Sinurambi Tambunan; the time taken to hike up is about 45 minutes.Mahua WaterfallsMahua Waterfalls is a pristine natural waterfall thatis hidden deep within the Crocker Range. It is located14 kilometers from Tambunan town. After paying theentrance fee, take a stroll for about 500 meters trailstarting from Mahua sub-station to the waterfall.Along the way, there are endless towering of trees withhuge trunks, wild orchids and insects; making the well-maintained trail is quite picturesque. Feel free to go fora swim at the falls or enjoy a picnic as there are basicfacilities provided such as picnic shelters and toilets.With water cascading from 17 meters high, it emits anendearing charm guaranteed to render you speechless. Age Entrance Fee Non-Malaysian (RM)18 years and above 10 Malaysian (RM) 6 Under 18 years 3 6 Students 1 0.50Contact details:Sabah Parks, Mr Rizwan Yunin (014 350 0295)Email: [email protected]: www.sabahparks.org.myRafflesia Information Centre Fancy admiring the largest flowers in the world? Then head to the Rafflesia Information Centre, located 14.6 kilometers from Tambunan town. The reservation centre covers an area of 365 hectares of Tambunan district. It was established in 1884 by the Sabah Forestry Department to protect the Rafflesia flowers in the area. A ranger will guide you for all of your informational needs, as he/she48
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