Tamu is the local language for "open market". Tamu Besar means "Big Open Market". A "TAMU" or a traditional open air market is Sabah's most popular shopping fair - a Sunday gathering for rural communities to display and sell wares ranging from food to handicraft. It is a place where all farmers, fishermen, and vendors gathers weekly to sell their products. You can find all sort of products for sale here, food, drink, vegetables, fruits, clothing, seafood, handicraft and many other daily use items, so it is more like a supermarket of the village people. Kota Belud Tamu Ground is the biggest Tamu in Sabah and is open on every Sunday morning.
Tamu Besar is one of the most colourful tourism events in Sabah. Bajau people have been famous for their colourful costumes, handicraft and horse riding skill. The best time to view this striking Kota Belud potpourri is the annual Grand Tamu Besar in the month of November when all the tribes will come out fully donned in respective traditional costumes for a cultural extravaganza. It includes a massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller tamu is held in Kota Belud every Sunday if you're not visiting during May.