Hollanders Rocking the Sumazau Dance

Sumazau Dance by Hollanders and Penampang Homestay Famillies Just last month, 19 retirees from Holland visited Malaysia for a 3 weeks' holiday. They spent 2 weeks in Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia, 1 week in Sandakan, Sabah and the last day of their holiday at homestays at Kg. Putaton Inobong, Penampang, Sabah. Although they only get to spend half a day with the locals, nevertheless, they had a blast!!! Upon their arrival at Putaton homestay, they were divided into several groups and each group was placed under the responsibility of a homestay operator who participated in the proggramme. Then, each...

Think Bambangan, Think Sabah

What is Bambangan? It is a seasonal fruit, is sometimes described as a wild mango, when ripe has thick brown skin and fibrous yellow flesh and gives out a very strong sweet aroma. I don't know why some people say Bambangan gives out a pungent smell. According to dictionary.reference.com, pungent means "acutely distressing to the feelings or mind" which is NOT the case for me. I LOVVVEEE Bambangan, love to eat it, love to smell it, is acutely COMFORTING to my feelings and mind. Bambangan which is about 80% ripe is used to make pickle Bambangan. The young...

Homestay Penampang Showcasing Traditional Food of the KadazanDusuns

One of the major attractions in Sabah and one that has huge tourism potential is culinary tourism. I consider it as a highly untapped niche as it is a unique tourism package and rarely offered since the product is quite new in Sabah. Its marketing is also still at its infancy stage. It is a great way to attract international travellers who are curious and eager to seek culinary pleasures. There are three main ethnicities in Sabah: the KadazanDusunMurut or KDM (which is the indigenuous group), Malay and Chinese. The races in Sabah have their own distinct identity...

Aussies Overwhelmed by Penampang Homestay Hospitality

Penampang Homestay, set up about four years ago, with the support from Tourism Malaysia especially Sabah Tourism Board, has played host to numerous travel related activities. Early this year, it had a busy time entertaining its first Australians who visited Sabah to have a taste of the homestay programme and do a study on Sabah's ethnicities and customs. Madam Evelyn Masudal, the coordinator of Penampang Homestay said that Sabahans are very delighted to welcome such guests who show deep interest in learning the day-to-day living of the locals here. The Australians comprised of a group of educators, one...