Once known as North Borneo, Sabah's history moves through indigenous communities and the influence of neighbouring sultanates, a chartered colonial company, wartime occupation, and its eventual place within the Federation of Malaysia, shaped throughout by the diversity of its indigenous peoples.
Begin with the history
Sabah's written historical record includes centuries of trade and settlement by coastal and interior communities, periods of influence from neighbouring sultanates, and, from the late 19th century, administration under the British North Borneo Chartered Company, followed by direct British colonial rule after the Second World War. Sabah became part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, alongside Sarawak and Singapore. Each period left its mark, in place names, legal documents, architecture, and the layered identity of the state today.
Sabah is home to more than 30 distinct indigenous ethnic groups, including the Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut, and many others, alongside communities of Chinese, and other settler heritage that arrived through trade and migration over generations. This diversity is central to Sabah's identity, reflected in language, custom, and celebration, most visibly during the annual Kaamatan (harvest) festival.
From traditional longhouses and ceremonial dress to distinct languages and harvest rituals, Sabah's indigenous cultures remain a living part of daily life, not simply a historical footnote. Documenting these traditions, through both academic research and direct community engagement, is central to Borneo History's field work in the state.
Historic sites across Sabah, from colonial-era buildings in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan to wartime memorials and traditional village sites, carry physical evidence of the state's layered past. Borneo History's regional heritage projects currently map historical sites across Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Ranau, Keningau, and Beaufort.
People · Places · Cultures
Events · Records · Time
Asal-Usul Bangsa Momogun Rungus Sabah Sebelum penjajahan kuasa-kuasa Barat, tidak wujud sejarah bertulis di kalangan bangsa Momogun Rungus di Borneo. Kisah-kisah lalu mengenai pengalaman dan kehidupan mereka
Read the story For paid membersMENYUSURI PEWARIS BRUNEI DI KARAMBUNAI Roslan Haji Masran
Read the story For paid membersWikipedia In 1865, the United States Consul to Brunei, Charles Lee Moses, obtained a 10-year lease for the territory of North Borneo from the Sultan of Brunei.
Read the story For paid membersPOSTED BY DZULASREE INTRODUKSI Satu satunya sumber sejarah Bugis klasik yang dikatakan terpanjang di dunia ialah senaskah buku bertulis tulisan Lontara (Brahmi) bertajuk "I La Galigo&
Read the story For paid membersPengaruh Kesultanan Brunei Kepada Masyarakat Sabah (Siri I) 3 April 2008, Utusan Borneo, ms.13 Oleh Bilcher Bala & Baszley Bee Basrah Bee dan Jakaria Dasan
Read the story For paid membersMenurut sejarah Sultan Sulu yang bernama Sultan Salahuddin-Karmat atau Pangiran Bakhtiar telah berkahwin dengan seorang gadis berbangsa Tionghoa yang berasal dari daerah Tirun (Tidong) adalah pendakatan Sultan
Read the story For paid membersPada suatu masa dahulu, terdapat sekelompok besar manusia yang mendiami sebuah rumah panjang di sebuah tempat yang disebut Indai di Tuaran. Rumah panjang itu sangatlah panjang sehingga
Read the story For paid membersMITOS dan lagenda Telaga Tujuh sudah lama dilupakan oleh masyarakat di sekitar Kunak melainkan palitan kenangan yang bernostalgia di kalangan kanak-kanak yang kini telah tua dan ada
Read the story For paid membersLegenda Asal Usul Suku Dusun Klias Beaufort Mohon Izin (Rowe Gone) - Suku Dusun Klias yg bahasa mereka seperti bahasa Bundu-Liwan dikatakan adalah suku yg pertama kali
Read the story For paid membersPERSATUAN KELUARGA NANAKAN DI AKI DAIT OLEH : NURIN NASRIN DAIT PENGHARGAAN Pihak FGD ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada Aki Saang, Mantan KK Jukin Kurum Jawah, Aki Kumbang
Read the story For paid membersSejarah Awal Inanam : Suku Kadazandusun "Tobilung" tahun 1735 Sejarah Suku Tobilung dari cabang Suku Mononggigi dikatakan bermula dari seorang pahlawan bertubuh badan besar dan gagah
Read the story For paid membersHUJAN yang turun sejak beberapa hari lalu setelah kemarau lebih tiga purnama menumbuhkan pucuk muda kegemaran rusa dan binatang liar lain yang menghuni rimba raya. Raja Tua
Read the story For paid membersBorneopedia’s regional entries are in development. The link introduces the knowledge project; a searchable collection is not yet available.
