TUARAN: Despite "Monisib" (buffalo meat-slicing) being a tradition of the Kadazandusun Murut people, Kiulu is one of the places in Sabah that often embraces it as part of the "Moginakan" celebrations.
"Moginakan" celebrations, such as weddings, Kaamatan, housewarmings or family events, are traditionally led by the head of the family according to their social status.
Buffalo is regarded as a status symbol for the Dusun community in Kiulu.
For families who can afford it, "Moginakan" is performed every year, while for those less fortunate, it is done once every three years.
Everyone who comes to help will be given a piece of meat, while the buffalo thigh is kept whole boiled overnight and then hung in the middle of the house the next day.
The head of the family will start the "monisib", and uniquely, if there are outsiders participating, they will be given the opportunity to perform "monisib."
The individual will then be considered a brother or "tobpinai", and subject to the custom of marriage prohibition for up to seven generations.
During a Kaamatan festival in Kiulu town, Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai led the invited guests in the tradition.
"We want to see this culture as one of the attractions of the festival. We know about cultural tourism.
"This is what we want the people to see, how we can use this culture as one of the attractions. It is still practised in some villages, but not all of them. But we want to revive it.
"Through this festival, the people will remember us for the importance of the bond of brotherhood," said the Kiulu assemblyman during the event.
Another exclusive traditional dish in Kiulu, which is rarely found in restaurants, is the "Roun Tundok."
Sylvia Francis, 43, said the ingredients for the dish were cassava leaves mixed with spices, flour and eggs.
"You need to roll those leaves to get rid of the smell, mix all the ingredients, and fry them. My mother's recipe includes peanut sauce to go with the dish."
The one-day festival also featured other traditional dishes such as salted fish, hinava, tuhau, and some exotic dishes served to about 500 visitors.