Explore the Mari Mari cultural village in Brunei and experience the tribal life of Sabah.

Located just a 30-minute drive from the center of Kota Kinabalu, Mari Mari Cultural Village is a must-visit destination for those wanting to explore the unique aspects of Brunei . Upon arrival, you'll have the opportunity to experience Mari Mari Cultural Village with its unique and traditional activities, immersing you in the authentic life of the Sabah tribes.

Immerse yourself in the Sabah tribal life at Mari Mari Cultural Village.

Mari Mari Cultural Village – An attractive destination on a Brunei travel itinerary. (Photo: Collected)

The Mari Mari cultural village exploration journey opens up a unique cultural world of the Sabah community. Not a simulated tourist area, Mari Mari is a place where Sabah tribes still live and practice their traditional cultural identity every day.

The first thing that impressed me was the way the locals welcomed visitors: unpretentious, without any pretense, but with genuine sincerity. Here, tourists can visit the traditional stilt houses of tribes such as the Dusun, Rungus, and Bajau… Each house clearly reflects the customs, architecture, and lifestyle of the local people, offering a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the culture through a journey of discovery of Sabah tribal culture. The peaceful, rustic atmosphere allows you to clearly feel the traditional way of life that the tribes still preserve at Mari Mari.

Having the opportunity to touch traditional houses and listen to how they preserve and practice their beliefs, I understand that culture is not just for seeing, but for living with.

Enjoy the authentic flavors of traditional Sabah tribal cuisine at Mari Mari Cultural Village.

Wild honey and rice cooked in bamboo tubes – A distinctive traditional culinary feature of the Sabah people. (Photo: Archana Singh)

An integral part of the cultural experience at Mari Mari Village is enjoying the distinctive cuisine of the Sabah tribes. While visiting Mari Mari Cultural Village, you can sample pure wild honey, sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, traditional rice wine, and specialty cakes such as penjaram, kuih jala, and refreshing pandan leaf juice.

The way people prepare food is also part of their culture: lighting fires from bamboo stalks, cooking in earthenware pots, wrapping cakes in banana leaves… All of this points towards a connection with nature and an appreciation for each ingredient. Each dish is not just for satisfying hunger, but also to tell a story – about the seasons, about beliefs, and about sharing among people.

The cuisine here is not just about food; it's also a way for the tribes to tell stories, reflecting their strong connection to nature and culture. These distinctive flavors contribute to the uniqueness of your trip to Brunei .

Learn traditional life skills – learn fire-making, weaving, and much more at Mari Mari Cultural Village.

Learn how to make fire from bamboo stalks – A unique traditional skill at Mari Mari cultural village. (Photo: Collected)

During my exploration of Mari Mari cultural village, I not only enjoyed the sights but also directly participated in traditional crafts, something I had only seen in books before. My guide taught me how to make fire from bamboo stalks; it sounded easy, but it was a struggle to get even the first spark. The feeling was magical, like I was returning to the primitive beginnings of humankind. After that, we learned how to distill rice wine, observed the process of making fabric from tree bark, and received detailed explanations of how each community utilizes nature to live without destroying it.

This activity not only helps tourists better understand the lives of the local community but is also an integral part of exploring Sabah tribal culture. The skills passed down from generation to generation are the threads that bind the community spirit and preserve cultural identity.

Enjoy traditional art – The soul of Mari Mari cultural village.

The high-jumping dance on the bamboo platform at Mari Mari Cultural Village is a unique highlight in the journey to explore Sabah tribal culture. (Photo: Collected)

Music and performing arts are an integral part of a Brunei trip, especially when visiting the Mari Mari Cultural Village to explore the tribal life of Sabah. At the end of the evening, I enjoyed traditional performances in the communal courtyard. The rhythmic sounds of gongs, animal-skin drums, and bamboo flutes beckoned visitors to join in the dances. The most memorable was the high jump on the elastic bamboo platform, a performance that required both physical strength and a deep connection with nature.

Henna tattooing, a beautiful form of body decoration (Photo: Collected)

Next to it is the traditional tattoo area, where people use symbolic motifs representing each ethnic group. Each drawing has its own story, connected to beliefs or wishes for good luck, strength, fertility, etc. The art at Mari Mari is not for performance, but to convey a message and to remind us: "We are still here, and our culture lives on."

For those who love exploring culture and want authentic experiences, Mari Mari Cultural Village is a great choice. Here, you can not only observe but also live with, feel, and appreciate the unique culture of the Sabah tribes. And if you are also looking for a truly different Brunei travel experience , then don't hesitate to check out our Brunei - Kota Kinabalu tour: Exploring Asia's Largest Island - Borneo (6 Days 5 Nights) .

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/trai-nghiem-doi-song-bo-toc-sabah-lang-van-hoa-mari-mari-v17587.aspx