Life In Borneo

Posted by Xander on October 22nd, 2008 in Culture & Traditions, Events

An Art & Tattoo exhibition is being held at the Monsopiad Cultural Village, every Friday to Saturday for the month of October. For the people of Borneo, Tattoos are a part of our culture and tradition. While modern tools have almost replaced all traditional methods, ancient tribal patterns are not forgotten. Flora and fauna motif passed down from generations are still being used till today.

Some people display tattoos to celebrate or memorialize a significant point in ones’ life and at other times, to commemorate a loved one, may it be name(s) or even an illustration of a person. Though these times in history are not depicted using words, rather they are more like etchings using designs of places and dates which only the person that received the tattoo would know the meaning behind them.

Here, a Tattoo artist is inking a Chinese character for a customer.

Those that exhibit their tattoos regardless of age and/or ethnic backgrounds mostly prefer designs that somewhat depict their personality. Usually these types of tattoos are represented using Japanese and Chinese characters or even illustrations of animals or even mythical creatures which are diverse in every culture known throughout the world. Characters or designs using different languages or inspirations are not unheard of and it mostly depends on the recipient of the tattoos and the tattoo artist.

Tribal patterns are also famous due to the fact that its origin is widespread across the world. To name a few the Berbers of Tamazgha, Ainu (indigenous people from Japan) and Maori of New Zealand have been known to have facial tattoos though these days you rarely see those types of designs. It is also known that tattooing were also widespread among the Polynesian peoples and numerous tribal groups from Borneo, Philippines, Mentawai Islands, North America, Africa, Cambodia and Micronesia just to name a few.

Regardless of where or when the art of tattooing came into widespread popularity, you’ll find that Borneo is never short of places to get your ink from. With much diversity in ethnicity and multifarious in its history and culture it is an opportunity not to be missed if you ever find a chance to come here and get a tattoo done by some of our very talented local tattoo artists.

Read more about Monsopiad Cultural Village>>>

Photos by Eshark of EsharkDesign.com

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Posted by Promoter on June 10th, 2008 in Culture & Traditions, Hot Spots, Legends

The legendary Monsopiad was an actual warrior who lived 200 years ago in the village of Kuai. The main mission and objective of the Monsopiad Cultural Village is to become a Living Museum, a cultural showcase of Kadazandusun culture, and a unique attraction for travelers coming to Sabah, be they from international or Malaysians. Monsopiad Cultural Village is the legacy of this fearsome warrior, located beside the Penampang River, about 30 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu City. It is a living museum built around the village where he once fought to protect. Read more about the Legend of Monsopiad here>

Once you step into village, you are transported back in time where headhunters and spirit worshippers roamed the land; a place and time when the village was controlled by the Bobohizans (female high priestesses of the Kadazan). The village keeps the culture, beliefs and traditions alive. The Village is run by Monsopiad’s direct descendants and theirs stories will leave a chill down your spine… so vivid they are that it felt as if the warrior is still living amongst them.

Many who have visited feel that one of the true essences of Sabah is the Monsopiad Cultural Village. You cannot say that you have been to Sabah if you did not pay a visit to this historical site.

Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday 9.00am till 5.00pm

Address
Monsopiad Cultural Village Sdn Bhd
Kg. Kuai/Kandazon, Penampang
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Tel : +6 088 761336
Fax : +6 088 761680
Email : info@monsopiad.com
website : www.monsopiad.com

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Posted by Raz on May 28th, 2008 in Events

Learn more about Sabah’s many ethnic costumes and its significance to its respective group. Make music the Sabahan way and discover the various musical instruments used in local ensembles. All this awaits you at the Monsopiad Cultural Village!

Date : 04 – 30 June 2008
Organiser : Monsopiad Cultural Village
Contact Person : Monsopiad Cultural Village
Telephone : +6088 761336
Fax : +6088 761680
Email Contact : info@monsopiad.com

source: www.sabahtourism.com

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Posted by Raz on April 13th, 2008 in Culture & Traditions

Legend told that many centuries ago, a lady named Kizabon was pregnant. She lived in a house with her husband, Dunggou. On the roof of their house, a sacred Bugang bird made its nest and stayed there throughout Kizabon’s pregnancy.

When the child was due to be born, the Bugang birds hatched as well. The father of the child took the sign as a good omen and that this was a sign that his newborn son would have special powers. He named his son, Monsopiad. The father paid special care to the birds as well, and whenever his son took a bath, Dunggou would take the young birds down from their nest to have a bath with his son. When done, he later returned them to the safety of their nest. This was done diligently until the birds were strong enough to leave the nest.

The young boy grew up in the village Kuai (which is the grounds of the Village). His maternal grandfather was the headman of the village.

However, their village was often plundered and attacked by robbers and due to the lack of warriors in the village, the villagers had to retreat and hide while the robbers ransacked their homes.

But for Monsopiad, things were different. He was given special training and he turned out to be an excellent fighter and grew up to become a warrior. Well-equipped, he vowed to hunt down and fight off the warriors that had terrorized his village for so long. He will bring back their heads as trophies, he claimed, and hang them from the roof of his house!

All he wanted in return was a warrior’s welcome, where his success will be heralded by the blowing of bamboo trumpet. In order to prove that he really did as promised, three boys went with him as witnesses.

Just as he had promised, Monsopiad’s journey to rid his village of the robbers was a huge success and upon coming home, he was given a hero’s welcome. He was so honored by the welcome that he proclaimed he will destroy all enemies to his village.

Over the years, Monsopiad soon attained a reputation and there were no robbers or evil warriors who dared to challenge him. However, the urge to kill had gotten into Monsopiad’s head and he simply could not stop himself from beheading more people. Very soon, he started provoking other men into fighting him so that he would have an excuse to kill and behead them.

With his changed attitude, all the villagers and his friends became afraid of him. Left with no choice, the village got a group of brave warriors together and they plan to eliminate Monsopiad. Much as they respected Monospiad for his heroic deeds, yet they had no choice for he had slowly turned into a threat.

One night as planned, the warriors moved in for the kill as Monsopiad was resting in his house. As they attacked him, he fought back fiercely but realized that he had lost his special powers that were bestowed upon him by the Bugang bird. By abusing his gift, he was left powerless and it was that very night that Monsopiad’s life ended.

Despite his downfall, the villagers still loved Monsopiad for all that he had done for them. All in all, he collected 42 heads and a great feat that was! In honor and memory of a once great warrior, a monument was erected and the village was renamed after him.

source: monsopiad.com

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