{"id":621,"date":"2016-03-13T20:10:01","date_gmt":"2016-03-13T12:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=621"},"modified":"2023-12-20T15:15:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T07:15:37","slug":"sago-information-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/sago-information-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Rumbia Information Center, all about Sago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you know certain trees are “edible”? You may have tasted it too, for example, the tiny jello-like balls in famous Malaysian dessert, Bo-Bo Cha-Cha<\/em> (or Bubur Cha-Cha) is from Sago Palm, an important crop for people living in south-west of Sabah. Sago is known as Rumbia<\/em> locally and a kind of starch that is extracted from the sago palm.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sago<\/a>
Sago palms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In Sabah, sago palm was once planted extensively in the wetlands of the west coast like Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Papar and Penampang. However, the scale is getting small now because rice has replaced sago as the main source of carbohydrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumbia Information Center \/ Sago Information Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sago palm is also called the “Tree of a Thousand Uses”<\/strong>. If you are on a tour to Klias<\/a> or Pulau Tiga Island<\/a>, you may drop by the Rumbia Information Center (Sago Information Center<\/strong>, or Pusat Informasi Rumbia in Malaysian language) near Kuala Penyu town.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Statue<\/a>
Statues of sago worker (left) and sago grub (right) at Rumbia Information Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You can check out the 4-hectare sago plantation in the Center on a boardwalk. The signage, labels and information at the Center are displayed or presented in both Malay and English languages.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sago<\/a>
Sago palm can reach up to 10 to 13 Meters tall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you are lost in jungle, finding a sago palm can save your life. Sago is almost pure carbohydrate, an energy food which also contains a bit of protein, vitamins, and minerals. One palm can yield more than 50 Kg of starch, which yields 355 calories for every 100g, and its leaves and trunk are great materials to make tools and shelter! During WWII, the locals survived from starvation by eating sago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sago Exhibition Hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The exhibition hall is the first highlight of the Center. Besides reading information about Sago, you also can see variety of handmade handicrafts made of sago leaves, bark and stem.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Watching<\/a>
Watching video about sago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In the audio-visual room, visitors can watch a 30-min video that introduces the uses, processing and story of sago. The narrative is in Malay language but English subtitles are shown.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Visitors<\/a>
Visitors can learn more about sago in Rumbia Information Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Over 50 handicrafts are on display. Most items are baskets, utensils, containers, mat, hats, fishing net, farming tools, etc. and some items are made of coconut leaves, bamboo and rattan. They are not so common nowadays, because plastic stuffs are more readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Exhibition<\/a>
Exhibition about Sago and ecology in Beaufort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to sago, there are many information panels and photographs about the wetland ecology and wildlife in Klias Peninsular.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Beautiful<\/a>
Beautiful handicrafts in Sago Information Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The hall is air-conditioned. Depending on your level of interest, a tour in Rumbia Information Center usually takes only one or two hours.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Exhibition<\/a>
Exhibition hall of Sago Information Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The craftsmanship is so fine that I want to buy them all (a few items are available for purchase). I think they are made by Dusun Tatana, Bisaya and Orang Brunei tribes live in Kuala Penyu district.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Various<\/a>
Various handicrafts made of sago materials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sago Information Center isn’t a well-known tourist spot, so you (or your group) would be the only visitor most of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may watch the 1.5-min video below about Sago Exhibition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n