KOTA BELUD

Kota Belud is a town located in West Coast Division, in the center of Sabah, east Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Its population was estimated to be around 72337 in 2000, almost evenly divided between ethnic Dusun and Bajau with a sizeable proportion of Chinese ethnicity. It is along the main road connecting Kota Kinabalu and Kudat.

Kota Belud is noted for its huge tamu, or open air market, which is held every Sunday. The Harvest Festival known as Pesta Kaamatan and "Tamu Besar" is an annual event in Kota Belud.

Tamu Besar Kota Belud

Kota Belud situated 70 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu is about an hour drive by car. Known as the "Land of the Cowboys of the East", it is one of Sabah's most scenic and culturally rich districts. A melting pot of cultures and customs with a blend of the largely Muslim Bajau community and the many tribes of the Kadazandusun and the Irranun, Kota Belud has played a significant role as the cultural hub of northern Borneo for many centuries. To this day, the Kota Belud tamu (Sunday open market) has continued to maintain its role as a venue for the people of the various communities to meet and trade.

The best time to view Kota Belud's striking cultural potpourri is during the grand Tamu Besar. It is Sabah's biggest open-air market where farmers, fishermen and vendors offer their best produce and wares for sale to the public. The grand Tamu Besar is an annual event.

The event showcases the unique customs and traditions of the Bajau community. During this auspicious occasion, all the tribes will come out fully donned in their respective traditional costumes for three days of cultural extravaganza. The Bajaus will stage a grand parade of ponies in resplendent costume dresses and perform a spirited display of their riding skills. Besides the normal buying and selling, other organized activities include a display of farm produce and animals.

Visitors will definitely find Kota Belud's diversity of traditional costume displayed, dance, music and ceremonies a unique cultural experience, which renders an excellent attraction for those who come from other communities or live in the fast lane of city life.