Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort promote Sabah’s cultural heritage for tourists

TO promote Malaysia, particularly Sabah, as a tourist destination, a hotel here has organised a weekly cultural programme to give its guests a close look at the rich cultural heritage of various ethnic communities in this state.

Last week, for the first time, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort treated it guests to such show.

The event, which will be a weekly fair, saw performances by a variety of Sabah’s diverse ethnic communities such as the Kadazandusun Sumazau, the Monggigol of the Rungus and DalingDaling of the Bajau-Suluks.

Taking aim: A visitor trying out a blowpipe.

Local craft makers exhibited their skills by stringing together beads and weaving baskets. There was also a demonstration on how sompoton, a Kadazandusun musical instrument, is made.

The resort’s guests also had the chance to participate in traditional games like gasing and blowpipe shooting.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort communications director Tulip Noorazyze said the event was part of the group's efforts to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2007 through its chain of hotels worldwide.

She said the resort would host cultural performances on a weekly basis to introduce Sabah to its guests.

On their feet: Children trying out the ting-ting traditional game.

“We also organise traditional games. In this way, we can introduce the games to them.”

She said the resort also organised Malaysian cooking classes for guests interested in learning how Malaysian food is prepared.

“We hope through these activities we can promote greater awareness of places of interest in Sabah and other places in the country.”

She said the guests were fascinated by the performances and games.

Richard Stapleton from Newcastle, England, said the performances were fascinating.

He said that traditional games like hop scotch (ting-ting) and chucks of five’s (batu simban) reminded him of his childhood.

Gamely: A visitor enjoying a horseback ride.

‘We have similar games. The last time I played them was some 60 years ago.”

He said he saw traditional handicraft on sale at the tamu, a traditional farmers market.

“The fair has given great insight to tourists like us.”

Source : STAR
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