Search
- English
- 中文
Let The Fun Begin
Monsopiad
Heritage Village
28°C
Some 300 years ago, in a village in Penampang, Sabah, there lived a great Kadazan warrior named Monsopiad. So great was his power that no enemy could defeat him. During his lifetime, in order to protect his village, Monsopiad took the heads of 42 enemies.
Contact Info
Monsopiad Heritage Village SDN BHD
- Kampung Kuai/Kandazon,Penampang
- P.O. Box 153 89458 Tanjung Aru, Sabah
- Hotline: +6011 141 96484 / +6011 141 96488
- Fax: +6088 761 680
- Email: monsopiadheritagevillage@gmail.com
- Website: www.monsopiad.com
Today, the 6th and 7th generation descendants of
Monsopiad still live on their ancestral land by the
scenic Moyog River. And in memory of the great
Monsopiad, they have built the Monsopiad Heritage
Village, a fascinating authentic showcase of the rich
and ancient culture of the Kadazans that goes back
a long time in history.
Exotic Kadazan Culture
The Kadazans are part of the Kadazandusun
community, the biggest ethnic group in Sabah.
The Monsopiad Cultural Village has been built with
traditional materials used by the Kadazandusun
people for centuries, such as jungle logs, palm leaves
and bamboo. After a warm greeting by your Kadazan
host at the entrance to Monsopiad Cultural Village
and a welcome drink of ‘tapai’ (rice-wine), you can see
the various daily activities in a Kadazan village. Here,
everyone wears the traditional black Kadazan attire.
A big attraction is the replica of Monsopiad’s house,
sitting on the original site, and raised off the ground.
You climb up a log with steps cut into it to reach the
bamboo landing before entering the spacious house.
The Kadazans cultivate rice, and it is impressive to
see the rhythmic pounding of rice in a wooden
mortar. You can have a go at pounding rice, if
you like. The rice is then stored in a big ‘tangkob’
or rice bin. Kadazan villagers also brew rice wine
and make sago from the sago palm. The men
make bamboo fish traps, machetes, gongs and
blowpipes. The women weave cloth and mats, do
embroidery and beadwork, and make ‘sirung’ (the
conical hat) and ‘tadang’ (the carrier basket). The
Kadazans are also famous for their dances, and
you can join in during the performances!
In the House of Skulls are the skulls of the 42
enemies slain by Monsopiad. Also displayed
are items used by the Bobohizans, the high
priestesses, who occupy an important place in the
Kadazan community. The Bobohizans continue to
look after the skulls according to age-old customs
and traditions.
So vivid are the stories told by the Kadazan guide
that one can feel the presence of Monsopiad.
Finally, as a fitting tribute to a great Kadazan
warrior, you can follow the guide and trek up the
hill to view the grave of the mighty Monsopiad.
Other attractions are the Kadazan wedding
ceremony staged every Saturday in December,
and the 40-minute Moyog River cruise in a ‘lipa
lipa’ boat to Sodomon Jetty, during which you
can see rice fields, birds and the mystical Mount
Kinabalu in the distance.
