Tambunan Village Homestay
Website: www.tambunanvillagehomestay.com
E-mail: joannakitingan@yahoo.com
Phone: Joanna Kitingan: +601 43580853 or +601 46555043
Community
Tambunan Village Homestay
Who they are
The Kadazandusun people originally held an animistic worldview populated by many spirits and their own god. They still maintain the traditions of women priestesses and have a system of ritual healing, however many of these traditions are changing due to many influences such as Catholocism. Today the Kadazandusun are mostly farmers and maintain rich celebrations in respect to their agricultural lifestyle. One such ceremony gives thanks to a bountiful harvest through the chanting by women priestesses paying respect to the “bambarayon” – the spirit of rice. The Kadazandusun people are very friendly and openly welcome travellers into their homes and way of life.
What they offer
- The opportunity to learn about the rich culture, music and language of the Kadazandusun people
- Jungle trekking to see and learn about the diverse environment from the great trees to the beautiful waterfalls.
- Go for a walkabout and gain an insight into the history of the Kadazandusun people during the headhunting days.
- Learn about the craft of using bamboo to make fences, fish traps and many other rattan products
- Join in and help the community with day-to-day activities such as rice planting, harvesting or collecting vegetables.
Please note: The homestay program can be tailored according to the interest and time available to travellers.
Location
Please use the contact provided or find:
Joanna Kitingan, President of the Sabah Homestay Association at:
Sabah State Library Headquaters
Jalan Tasik, Off Jalan Gaya
88999 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah Malaysia
What you need
- Mosquito repellent or mosquito net
- Torch
- Breathable t-shirt & pants (below knees)
Accommodation & Amenities
In our homestay program visitors stay with families and may have their own room or share with someone of the same gender. Beds are all single mattresses on the floor.
Most families have bathing facilities in their homes, but you may also use the river. Most bathroom facilities are in an enclosed space outside the home with flush toilets.
There is electricity in the village.
Travellers will be offered local cuisine cooked by their host families. If you have any allergies to certain foods, simply inform your host family so they can prepare appropriate meals for you.
Programs can be tailored to suit group interests and available time. Two example programs are: 2 day/1 night – MYR120.00 per person; 3 day/2 night – MYR240.00 per person.
Check out the current exchange rate MYR to USD
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As the coordinator of the Tambunan Village homestay, tonight we are privilege to have a guest from Australia, whose name is Amat Nordin Binnore, who is a seasoned traveller. He came to Tambunan to exprience the lifestyle of the Kampong folks here. He has been here days now, and has been to the Mahua waterfall, which he said is superb.
As he observed the working together of the homestay families, I gave him a chance to speak to the homestay families about his experiences here.
First he said he is very thankful for being in Tambunan Village homestay and that he find people her to be very hospitable as he sat in the market and people came to speak to him. He said the Homestay program is indeed a great program that brings other people togther from far and new.
As I told Amat before he came ” you come as a stranger but will leave home as a family member.