Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Kadazandusun girls from Sabah are a common sight to see when you visit this part of North Borneo. This series of photos was taken when I went to the Monsopiad Cultural Village, a living museum of the Kadazandusun culture.

The Monsopiad Cultural Village or MCV is a great place to learn and know about the local lifestyle, heritage and culture. It offers live performances, dances, a restaurant and also workshops on beadwork.

Sabah Kadazandusun Girls

monsopiad-cultural-village-kadazan-girls-roap-bridge Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Rungus girls pose on a bridge.

These Kadazandusun girls are found throughout Sabah and are the largest ethnic category with about forty (40) subcategories under this group.

The most popular tribes being the Kadazan, Kadazandusun, Rungus, Murut and Bajau people of Sabah Borneo.

monsopiad-cultural-village-kadazan-girls Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Rungus girls with full attire

Rungus Girls

Some of the ethnic girls I came across were not camera shy and willingly posed for me with their beautiful Rungus attire.

The Rungus people are mainly found in the Kudat district of Sabah. The local name for the Rungus top is banat tondu, while the knee-length skirt is called tapi rinugading.

The Rungus people are also well known for their beadwork and costumes, and the Rungus Girls wear them beautifully here.

monsopiad-cultural-village-kadazan-girl-baju Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Murut girl wearing a traditional Murut top and knee-length skirt

monsopiad-cultural-village-kadazan-beadwork Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Girl wearing a Kadazan Penampang top and skirt doing some intricate beadwork

monsopiad-kadzan-girls-women Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah

Three lovely girls wearing Murut designs

If you enjoy seeing ethnic cultures, Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia would be the best place to start. I always enjoy going back repeatedly as there is so much to learn about the Kadazan Dusun culture in Sabah.

These local ethnic groups are also great to photograph, especially when they are in the full traditional attire, usually during major festivals here.

One of the best times to do this is during the Sabah Fest or during the Kaamatan Festival (Pesta Kaamatan), which is the Harvest Festival for Sabah, usually during the entire month of May.

Conclusion

If you are ever visiting Sabah, make sure you spend some time visiting some of the interesting places where you can see the cultural heritage and also for a chance to see the local Kadazandusun Girls from Sabah Borneo.

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