{"id":491,"date":"2023-03-21T18:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=491"},"modified":"2024-02-28T16:29:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T08:29:32","slug":"tamu-sabah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/tamu-sabah\/","title":{"rendered":"Tamu, the traditional market of Sabah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you want to travel smart in Sabah, do not miss Tamu<\/em>, the weekly (sometimes twice or thrice weekly) open-air native market in outskirts of Sabah. It’ll feel like a food and treasure hunting tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tamu<\/a>
The beautiful tamu market of Tenom town. It’s just behind the central market in town centre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The name tamu<\/em> derives from the Malay word bertemu<\/em> which means ‘to meet’ and it has been a place of congregation for farmers, fishermen, craftsman and traders for over 145 years. In old days there was no supermarket, so every districts held a weekly tamu for local villagers to meet, shop, and trade their produces at a designated location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tamu<\/a>
The colourful tamu of Sabah. Tamu are called differently by different ethnic groups in Sabah. The Dusun and Rungus people call it “Badi” while it is known as “Semio” by the Bajau people in Kota Belud. In the Tuaran district, it’s also called “Buul” for smaller native markets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

History of Tamu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first tamu of Sabah was started on 13 December 1878 in Kota Belud (Kampung Siasai) by William Pretyman<\/strong>, a political agent of British North Borneo (now Sabah). In his diary, William said the locals from different tribes were so excited to see the first tamu ground in preparation and kept on asking him the opening day of tamu. It’s a huge success as each ethnic group can offer certain goods that others don’t have. For example, a Dusun farmer can sell rice to a Bajau fisherman who would buy or barter trade it with fishes. Merchants from China and Brunei and also sourced many local products from tamu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photos<\/a>
Left: the white man is William Pretyman. Look like a smart dude. Right: a photo of Kota Belud in 1940, taken by W.K.C. Wookey (courtesy of The Sabah State Archives). Both photos are from the Facebook of North Borneo Philately<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The same goes to fruits & vegetables, traditional herbs, seafood, livestock, bushmeat, beeswax, textile, crafts and wide array of other produces, some carried by villagers walking over 10 KM to the marketplace. British rulers were also happy that different tribes could do business peacefully at tamu though tribal conflicts were common during that time. Brawls and weapons are prohibited in tamu. British officers also used tamu as a place to distribute news. Locals people from different villages mingled and exchanged news at tamu too. Though British had left Sabah in 1963, tamu is still an integral part of rural economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Past<\/a>
Past (1970s) Vs Present Tamu of Kota Belud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Tamu is Fun for Tourists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What’s the point of visiting a new place if you don’t experience any cultural shock? Your travel agents always “protect” you from something that you aren’t accustomed to. For example, if you are a European, they will never serve you durian fruit. If you are a Korean tourist, they will make sure that your plate always has Kimchi. You don’t eat and live like a Sabahan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tourists<\/a>
Tourists shopping at tamu of Keningau (left) and Papar (right) towns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A tamu provides an authentic encounter with the rich cultural, culinary and traditional aspects of the lives of Sabah’s many ethnic groups. The best ways to enjoy a tamu tour are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Explore some interesting or “weird” items. Feel the sights, sounds and smells of tamu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Sample local snacks, pastries, cakes, fruits, food and drink.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Interact with the local people. Observe what they do, e.g. chewing betel nuts and carrying stuffs in traditional baskets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, tapestry, trinklets and other handmade crafts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Friendly<\/a>
    Vendors of the tamu of Papar, Keningau and Bongawan. The locals could be a bit shy but they are friendly people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The bonus is you could get something cheaper than normal retail prices, if you are good at haggling. You are helping the small sellers too, like an elder villager or a start-up baker who needs extra income to support their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to Buy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Every tamu are selling different things, based on the composition of local ethnic groups, agriculture and cultures. For example, Kundasang tamu is popular for highland vegetables, and Keningau tamu<\/a> is the best place to buy hill paddy and cinnamon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Things<\/a>
    Things to buy or try at tamu. 1. Tarap fruit (seasonal), 2. Chicken tail satay, 3. Salted fishes, 4. Penjaram cake, 5. Latok seaweed (or sea grapes), 6. Fried banana fritters with cheese (pisang goreng cheese)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The following are some good (safe) starters for first-time visitors (Note: some fruits are seasonal):<\/p>\n\n\n\n