Ethnic Borneo Massage is the umbrella term used by Jari-Jari Spa in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, to cover its award-winning massage therapies based on traditional indigenous treatments.
Located in the northern tip of Borneo, Sabah (once known as British North Borneo) is home to more than 35 different ethnic and linguistic groups. The largest of these groups, the Dusuns, live mostly in the centre and along the west coast of Sabah. Over the generations, different Dusunic tribes have developed their own distinctive type of massage, drawing upon Borneo's wealth of tropical plants renowned for their healing properties.
Combining modern spa management with the best of traditional Dusun techniques and ingredients, Jari-Jari co-founder and director Jennifer Lee has developed three major Ethnic Borneo Massage therapies:
Dusun Inan Therapy
Passed from generation to generation by the rice-growing Lotud Dusuns, this type of massage evolved to soothe away the aches and pains left by back-breaking work in the rice fields. It is, however, equally as effective in relieving the strain brought on by bad posture often associated with working on computers.
Using the thumbs to apply pressure on various pressure points in the body - particularly the neck, shoulders and back - this technique unblocks the flow of energy, releasing tension and relaxing the muscles. The therapist targets the deeper layer of muscles and connective tissues, using slow strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle.
Jari-Jari's Dusun Inan Therapy was hailed as the "Best Traditional Treatment" during the inaugural Malaysian Spa & Wellness Awards held in Kuala Lumpur in 2006 and in the year 2011, was another award was hailed as the "Best Traditional Local Folk Treatment".
Palad Therapy
Using the palm of the hand to apply pressure, the Bookan Muruts (a Dusunic tribe living in Sabah's southwest) developed the massage technique known as "palad". The healing touch of the hands combines with aromatic oils, which stimulate the olfactory nerves.
Palad Therapy is particularly suitable for stress-related conditions with an emotional component. The therapist's selection of the appropriate essential oil guarantees a treatment that is the ultimate in relaxation, ensuring a remarkable sense of well-being in both mind and body.
Mountain Dusun Therapy
The Tanggara Dusuns living on the slopes of the Crocker Range around Borneo's highest mountain, the 4,093-metre Mount Kinabalu, have developed the perfect solution to aching legs and physical tiredness.
Incorporating their traditional massage techniques, Jari-Jari's Mountain Dusun Therapy is ideal for visitors who may have climbed to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, or have been jungle trekking.
Using long smooth strikes, kneading and circular movements on the superficial layers of muscle, this therapy concentrates on the lower legs, before moving towards the torso, upper back and shoulders. The result is relaxing and invigorating, soothing sore muscles, improved blood circulation and reducing stress.
Jari-Jari Spa has been awarded a Certificate of Accreditation for its Ethnic Borneo Massage 10-hour Training Course, and Ethnic Borneo Massage 22-hour Training Course), the first spa in Malaysia to receive accreditation from FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists - the leading and largest professional association for complementary, beauty and sports therapists in the UK and Ireland).