This is Sabah, and we are in the heartland of the Kadazandusun people. Nestled besides the Penampang River are the many traditional buildings that make up the Monsopiad Cultural Village, a living museum.
Monsopiad Cultural Village is a traditional village with historical site. Monsopiad was a fearsome headhunter warrior who lived in the village of Kuai nearly 200 years ago. His descendants have built the village to remember their ancestor, and to give visitors an extraordinary insight into their ancient and rich culture. More than just a museum, the concept of the Monsopiad Cultural Village is to document, revive and preserve the cultures and traditions, as well as the beliefs of the Kadazandusun people.
Take a step back into the past, to the days of head hunting and spirit worshipping, when the Bobohizan (High Priestess of the Kadazandusun), ruled the villages and took care of the health and spiritual well-being of their people.
You can visit the Tangkob or Granary, home of the Padi. Kotos Di Monsopiad or Monsopiad's Main House is dedicated to the life and times of Monsopiad and his descendants. Other interesting exhibits include the massive monolith the “Gintutun do Mohoing", is a silent witness to many legends of Monsopiad. It is believed that spirits from the past are caught in the stone. Finally, one will visit Siou Do Mohoing, the House of Skulls, where all 42 trophies of Monsopiad hang from the rafters.
Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas. Permission and source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KgKuaiKandazon_Sabah_Monsopiad-…
