Sabah is known locally as 'The Land Beneath the Wind' as it sits directly below the monsoon belt to the north. It is rich in local culture and heritage and it's other name 'The Land of the Sacred Mountain' reflects the spiritual beliefs of the local people that Mount Kinabalu is an ancient mystical place where their ancestors go to watch over them. The culture here in Sabah is one of the most diverse in the region. There are people from all over Asia and beyond who have settled here over the years to add to the rich diversity of local tribes, from China, Indonesia, Philippines, India and Europe. It is said there are over 30 different races and over 80 different dialects spoken, although it would be hard to identify all of these.

There are four main local tribes here in Sabah.

The Kadazan-Dusuns, the largest indigenous group, a local farming community specialising in the production of rice. They are a very spiritual people who believe in a need to maintain harmony between people, nature and the spiritual world. This is led by the Bobohizan, the ritual specialists who study with the Bohungitas, a high priestess, to learn to look after the medical and spiritual needs of the people. You can see a traditional village just 10km outside of Kota Kinabalu which is a tribute to Monosopiad, a warrior and headhunter who defended his village from all enemies and took 42 skulls during his lifetime. The village is a living museum where these skulls are preserved by descendants of Monosopiad who are also working to document and keep the old rites, traditions, legends and customs of the Kadazan people.

The Murut a fearsome hill dwelling tribe who are famous for being great hunters specialising in the use of spears, blow pipes and poisoned darts. They are traditionally from the hilly interior of Sabah around Tenom and are famous for their community living in longhouses.

The Rungus - also famous for their community living in longhouses are keeping alive their traditions of farming, fishing, handicrafts including knife and gong making, and bee-keeping. There is a famous longhouse at Bavanggazo in the north of Sabah where you can visit to see these people preserving their way of life and it is possible to stay a night with them to enjoy the experience first hand.

The Bajaus a costal dwelling tribe who farm rice, raise water buffaloes, fish and are expert horseriders. They traditionally live in water villages where the wooden houses are built over the water on stilts and their boatbuilding skills are renown. Each year there is a regatta in April to celebrate the Lepa their boat. There is also an annual festival in late October held in Kota Belud called the Taman Besar festival to celebrate their horse riding skills.

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