Monsopiad Cultural Village

About Monsopiad Cultural Village

Monsopiad Cultural Village is a living museum in Sabah. It provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Kadazan-Dusun people, which has 10 different languages and 30 different dialects.

Legend of Monsopiad

The cultural village was named after a legendary Kadazan-Dusun warrior called Monsopiad, who was said to have lived in the village of Kuai, in what is today Penampang district three hundred years ago. He was born to a woman named Kizabon and her husband Dunggou.

When Kizabon was pregnant with Monsopiad, a Bugong bird, which is sacred to the Kadazan people, decided to make its nest on the roof of their home. On the same day that Monsopiad was born, the Bugong bird also had its eggs hatched. This was taken as a good sign by the Kadazan people.

Monsopiad grew up to became a skillful warrior. His maternal grandfather was the headman of his village. The village was constantly being robbed and plundered by invaders. Each time a raiding party descended on Kuai village, the villagers were forced to flee into the jungle to save themselves.

Angered by the constant raids to his village, Monsopiad vowed to hunt down the raiders and bring back their heads. Through the magical powers he received from the Bugong bird, he was able to trek down, attack and execute all the raiders. When Monsopiad returned victorious, he was given a tremendous welcome. Unfortunately it not only boosted his pride, it also inflated his ego.

Although the village was now safe from raiders, the young warrior was soon turning on the villagers themselves to satisfy his thirst for heads. He would pick fights with fellow villagers, just so that he could kill and behead them. The villagers admiration of Monsopiad soon turn to fear and dread, and they got together to plot a way to liquidate him. Some of the best fighters of the village was selected to execute Monsopiad. When they attacked Monsopiad, he fought bravely, but some how the magical powers that the Bugong bird had bestowed upon him had petered away when he abused the powers, and so the villagers were able to put down Monsopiad. The villagers mourned the loss of their best warrior in their own hands, and they erected a memorial to him.

The Monsopiad Cultural Village is said to have been established by the descendents of Monsopiad, if indeed he fathered any offsprings. Within the House of Skull of the cultural village are 42 human skulls that were said to have been the trophies collected by Monsopiad.

Activities at Monsopiad Cultural Village

Visitors to Monsopiad Cultural Village get to learn about the way of life of the Kadazan-Dusun people. At the same time, they get to try out some of the rural activities including shooting with a blowpipe (called monopuk), shooting with catapult, stilt walking (tampanau). They also get to participate in domestic activities such as sago grating (called mamagalus), collecting sago grub (called butod), learn rice wine making, and other domestic activities.

Cultural performances are staged at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Getting there

Monsopiad Cultural Village is located about half an hour from Kota Kinabalu. The cultural village provides a shuttle service to pick up visitors from their hotel.

Nearby Sights

Monsopiad Cultural Village Location Map

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Skulls at Monsopiad Cultural Village
Author: Dcubillas (cc-by-3.0)

House of Skulls
Author: Dcubillas (cc-by-3.0)

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Exploring Malaysia is researched and written by Timothy Tye. Content and articles in Exploring Malaysia are provided in goodwill and are believed to be correct at time of writing. While every reasonable care is taken to check and verify the information shared, Exploring Malaysia disclaims responsibility for its use. All pages may be printed out for your own personal, non-commercial use. Photographs appearing in Exploring Malaysia are available according to the licensing terms specified in its caption. Photographs not credited to a third party belong to Timothy Tye and may not be reused in any form unless you are first given permission. Write in to inquire if interested. Third party photographs are governed by their respective licenses.

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