Pesta Kalimaran

View on map
MusicTenom
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsAs a festival dedicated specifically to the
Language["ms"]Currency: MYR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Pesta Kalimaran in Tenom

Pesta Kalimaran is an annual state-level celebration of Murut culture held at the Murut Cultural Village in Tenom, Sabah, typically in April, continuing the tradition of Injawari, a customary Murut celebration inherited from earlier generations. The festival features the Kalimaran concert, a Kalimaran Queen competition, handicraft exhibitions, and performances of Magunatip, the Murut bamboo dance.

Pesta Kalimaran is Sabah's principal annual celebration dedicated to the Murut people, the state's third largest indigenous group, with a population exceeding 100,000 divided among fourteen distinct sub-ethnic groups whose traditional costumes and customs can differ considerably from one another.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

As a festival dedicated specifically to the Murut, Sabah's third largest indigenous group with a population exceeding 100,000 spread across fourteen sub-ethnic groups, Pesta Kalimaran offers a rare focused showcase of a community whose distinct customs and costumes, which vary considerably between sub-groups, are otherwise seen mainly in broader multi-ethnic events like Sabah Fest

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival's centerpiece performance, Magunatip, in which dancers leap between rhythmically clapping bamboo poles, is a distinctive Murut art form requiring both skill and courage, historically linked to the community's warrior traditions

03

The city starts moving

Held at the dedicated Murut Cultural Village in Tenom, the festival benefits from a permanent cultural venue that reinforces its role in preserving Murut heritage beyond the festival dates themselves

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Pesta Kalimaran continues Injawari

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a customary Murut celebration of culture inherited from earlier generations and historically observed during the colonial period

The sacred route

Living ritual

adapted into its modern festival format to honor and showcase Murut heritage

The local code

Living ritual

the bamboo pole dance performed at the festival

Tradition 5

Living ritual

traditionally demonstrates agility and bravery

Tradition 6

Living ritual

with dancers timing their footwork to avoid being caught between poles clapped together in rhythm by other performers

Tradition 7

Living ritual

a skill historically associated with the Murut's reputation as a warrior community before their conversion to farming and

Tradition 8

Living ritual

Christianity under colonial and missionary influence

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Pesta Kalimaran, plan transport around the exact Tenom venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Traditional Murut costume, which varies by sub-ethnic group, is worn by performers and pageant contestants; visitors may dress casually and comfortably for an outdoor cultural village...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Pesta Kalimaran, stay near the part of Tenom you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["ms"] · MYR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map5.12 N, 115.94 EOpen in Google Maps

Tenom, Sabah, Malaysia

Nearest airportBKI — Kota Kinabalu
TransportFor Pesta Kalimaran, plan transport around the exact Tenom venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Pesta Kalimaran, stay near the part of Tenom you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Tenom via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Tenom, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearTraditional Murut costume, which varies by sub-ethnic group, is worn by performers and pageant contestants; visitors may dress casually and comfortably for an outdoor cultural village setting.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Malaysia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pesta Kalimaran?

Pesta Kalimaran is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pesta Kalimaran take place?

The festival is listed in Tenom, Malaysia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Tenom, Sabah, Malaysia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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