Quirky Guide

Speed and agility are key for the dance of Magunatip – where one wrong move could lead to rather a lot of pain.

This quirky tradition, native to the Sabah region of Borneo, sees dancers jumping between long, thick bamboo sticks which are struck together close to the floor.

The clapping of the sticks gets steadily faster and faster - until it’s impossible to work out how the dancers manage to escape unscathed, or at least without the odd broken ankle.

Magunatip used to be a warrior dance to welcome the return of headhunters from battle, but now it’s mainly performed at festive and social occasions.

A bit more exciting than charades with your nan at Christmas, eh?