A popular folklore among the Manobos, a tribe of people who were among the earliest inhabitants of the place, explained that the name originated from a phrase “Kulaman-su-wayeg”, which literally translates as “Kulaman in the water”.

According to the legend, a long famine came to the place and the Sultan, who was a loving father and provider to his family, ventured alone and gathered cassava, a staple food of the Manobos, for their consumption.

In honor of this Manobo tribal leader, the river where he was found was named after him and later, the entire upper valley was called “Kulaman”.

459 dated December 29, 1961 signed by Carlos P. Garcia,[8] creating the municipality of Kalamansig from certain barangays of Lebak and Palimbang.

There are 20 barangays and sitios carved out from Lebak: Lun, Pitas, Dansalan, Pedtegenan, Madu, Port Lebak, Lenek, Santa Clara, Sebayor, Nalilidan, Bosawon, Calubcub, Camp III, Poral, Limulan, Simsiman, Cadiz and Tipudos.

The 8 barangays and sitios were taken from Palimbang are Sangay, Mat, Danawan, Paril, Babancao, Basiawan, Narra and North Kulaman.

The research confirmed that the giant Kalamansig tamilok is kuphus polythalamia and is the largest species of its kind in the world.