INUKIRAN longhouse, at Kampung Inukiran is sited 10 kilometres off Matunggong township. This longhouse is an attraction for the mere fact that it is a showcase of how the Rungus people’s home looked like in the distant past.
Spokesperson for the longhouse Mojial Mogulizang shared that the longhouse was such a busy centre for weavers before the Pandemic Covid-19 occurred. There were four weavers who made the longhouse a centre for weaving the Rungus traditional cloth. Sometimes neighbours joined the weavers, too, and this contribute to the merry atmosphere of the longhouse.
According to him, they were making good progress and had attracted the attention of the international community through tourists who visited the longhouse.
“A contact from Taiwan had wanted to collaborate with us and in the process teach our weavers to create products with our Rungus motifs, such as Neckties and bags as well as watches, but unfortunately the Pandemic occurred and so it was scrapped. We hope that we can recover this level of rapport with our tourists in future,” he shared, adding that it had been very quiet since as travel and tours have been suspended due to the Movement Restrictions Order (MCO).
He also hoped that the relevant authorities would do something about the road conditions there, which was mostly graveled. he said it was a deterrent for tourists and visitors due to the discomfort of being trundled and shaken through the journey from the Kudat main road.
According to him, he had appealed to the authorities since the 1980s but was disappointed as the road had yet to be sealed. Mobile telephone service was also not good there but he stressed that a tower was being built there and so it could be rectified in the near future.
For those who wish to stay over and enjoy the ambiance of a Rungus Longhouse, they could stay over. The longhouse has three rooms and can accomodate six people. The living room can accomodate more people. There is also another hall nearby which can be used for functions such as celebrations, talks and meetings among others.
Those who wish to know more about Rungus longhouses, the architecture, materials used and social norms of this ethnic group can visit the Inukiran Longhouse. Bookings and information can be made through Mojial Mogulizang at 014 399 5224.-BNN
