Tamu Desa Vendors perpetuate tradition in economic endeavour
30 October 2024
By AVV
KOTA BELUD: The Tamu Desa Kampung Takulung is a vibrant rural marketplace with 25 stalls operated by over 60 dedicated entrepreneurs. This bustling market offers a diverse array of products, including fresh vegetables, chicken, fish, handcrafts, used clothing, and aromatic herbs.
There is also no lack of food as there are stalls selling delicious noodle soup, food stalls with various edibles being sold, and an array of tempting snacks.
Village Development and Security (JKKK) Chairperson Elycia Sikul shared that Tamu Desa is a vital hub for the local community, attracting not only residents from Kg. Takulung but also tourists and visitors from the surrounding areas.
With its rich history since the 1960s, this market has become a cherished tradition, held every Tuesday, where locals gather to shop, socialise, and celebrate their culture. Sited on more than an acre of land, it had been the meeting place for her grandparents and their generation in the olden says. In those days, vendors built makeshift stalls through community effort. Some simply laid mats on the ground, while others brought canopies.
She believed that the preservation of the tamu ensure this tradition is carried on for future generations. Youth are interested in the Tamu, evident from the involvement of the younger generation in advancing the Tamu.
In addition to selling used clothing and kitchen items today, products such as agricultural produce, tobacco, and leaf cigarettes, which were popular in the past, continue to be available.
According to her, the atmosphere at the Tamu Desa is lively and welcoming, with vendors showcasing their unique offerings and engaging with customers.
It is a place where the community comes together, fostering connections and supporting local entrepreneurship. The market not only provides essential goods but also plays a crucial role in promoting the local economy and preserving the cultural heritage of the area.
Recently, Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC) who is also the Kadamaian State Assemblyman visited the Tamu Desa to assess the progress of its development. He expressed his satisfaction with the project's advancements.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Datuk Ewon Benedick for his unwavering support of our village, which reflects his commitment to ensuring that we are not left behind in terms of development. I am also deeply thankful for the facilities we have received. I hope he will continue to prioritise the needs of Kadamaian in the future," she stated.
She further elaborated, "The open hall at the Tamu serve as a community activity centre, allowing us to host various programmes and village gatherings alongside market sales. Each time we organise an event, the Tamu sales will also take place, fostering the growth of both economic and social activities within our local community."
“With the establishment of this Tamu Desa Hall, I feel motivated to actively engage in business. I aspire to grow vegetables using a hydroponic system, in addition to cultivating chili through fertigation, which my husband and I are currently working on, so that I can sell them at the Tamu.”
She shared that many vendors echoed her sentiment that having a place to sell their wares is a strong motivation for them to plant, cultivate, and create products for sale.
However, she expressed concern about the state of the agricultural roads, which have become damaged and difficult to navigate.
“I realise that the Tamu may not be directly related to agricultural roads, but I want to convey the concerns of the Takulung community, which is significantly affected by these impassable roads,” she said.
The villagers of Takulung rely heavily on their garden produce for their livelihood. She emphasised that if the agricultural roads were accessible, the profitability of their garden yields for marketing would improve.
Looking to the future, she hopes to establish homestays within the village community.
“I’ve noticed many tourists arriving by bicycle who often stop at the Tamu to inquire about nearby homestays. Tamu Takulung is located just 35 km from Kota Belud, making it an ideal spot for overnight stays after a long cycling journey."
"There’s great potential to further develop the Tamu area by promoting eco-tourism and expanding visitor engagement beyond Kg. Takulung and its surrounding villages.”
With cooperation among the villagers and perseverance on their economic endeavours, her hopes and aspirations will surely become reality in the future.
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