| Leisure
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Cultural Experience
 A
rich, cultural experience awaits you at the Monsopiad Cultural Village
named after the legendary Kadazandusun hero. Major highlights are
the House of Skulls with its 42 ancient human skulls, traditional
handcrafted buildings, a paddy field and a hanging bride. You cannot
get a more authentic feel of the indigenous community than here.
Meet the colourful Bajau community from Kota Belud, famous as “cowboys
of the East”, who were once known as Sea Gypsies because of their
love for adventure on the high seas. Resplendent in their colourful
costumes with a silver dagger or kris as part of their outfit, their
ponies are just as elaborately dressed especially on festive occasions.
The Bajau Horsemen are best seen during the annual Kota Belud “Tamu
Besar”.
The Rungus, a sub-tribe of the Kadazandusun indigenous group is
the main ethnic group living in the Kudat division. They live in
their traditional thatched longhouse on stilts. For each family
unit, there is a sleeping area, a dining area, an attic and a corridor
and the living area. The entrance stairway is made of a small tree
trunk with notches, leading to the main longhouse communal living
area. Floors are made from small, split tree trunks tightened and
held together by rattan and bark strips.
The roof is made of leaves, the walls from tree bark. Only trees
that bring good luck are used. Evenings are festive as gongs are
played and villagers dress up in their traditional black costume
with elaborate, colourful beads.
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