Jari Jari Spa (Sabah)

Jari Jari (Sabah) Signature treatment, Dusun Lotud Inan (as known as the paddy field massage), - Award-winning - for the traditional treatment is derived from traditional massage as practiced by the Dusun Lotud, a group from the Tuaran District, just north of Kota Kinabalu.

In this rice-growing region, the women learned from generation to generation how to massage away the aches and pains left after a day of back-breaking work in the paddy field. Their distinctive massage technique involves applying pressure with the thumbs to the various pressure points in the body, magically unlocking the flow of energy, releasing tension and relaxing the muscle.

Another unique feature that is particularly popular is the Bandukan Cinnamon or Kayu Manis Body Scrub. This is a traditional treatment used in folk medicine to warm the body during the cool monsoon. Cinnamon or Kayu Manis stimulates and warms, bringing relief from body aches and pains. This skin exfoliater and body warmer is specially recommended for those who have been active the whole day and need to relax.

Jari Jari's Signature Experience is marketed to Sabah's many overseas visitors as a way to experience a little-known but valuable aspect of local indigenous dusun culture. Nowhere else in the world can they experience the age-old techniques and ingredients used by the indigenous dusun, which differ from the better- known techniques in Bali, Thailand and India.

This is a unique experience which no visitor should miss. Foreign guests and local residents, who are also generally unfamiliar with the indigenous native massages - Dusun Lotud (The Paddy field Massage), Palad or Palm of Hand (The Palm Massage) and The Mountain Massage therapy, will feel privileged to be able to benefit from this unique local knowledge.

The Tribes of Borneo (Sabah)

As far back as 5,000 years, Austronesian settlers came to Borneo (Sabah), the ancestors of the Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanic peoples of today. These tribes evolved their own customs and beliefs, religion and language, sowing the seeds of Borneo's Culture.

The Dusunic family of tribes, which has 14 languages, now forms the largest of Borneo (Sabah) Indigenous groups. This family includes the Kadazan, Kuijau, Lotud and Rungus tribes.