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
History timeline ; 1640s - 31/08/1957 Independence of Malaya North Borneo (Sabah): An annotated timeline 1640s - present.
Read the story For paid membersTatanak? Mungkin ramai yang tidak pernah mendengar nama Tatanak kerana ianya jarang digunakan apabila berbicara mengenai etnik Bisaya, Borneo. Sebenarnya untuk pengetahuan semua sebelum nama Bisaya diberi,
Read the story For paid membersADA suatu ketika dahulu sebelum Sabah bernama Sabah dan sebelum manusia mengenal kemajuan, tinggal dua beradik, Empat Mata dan Tunggal Mata di Bukit Garam berdekatan sebatang sungai
Read the story For paid membersTHE HISTORY AND CONTROVERSIES OF KARAMBUNAI, MENGKABONG I. INTRODUCTION KARAMBUNAI means "the place where the ship from Brunei sank". That's what the folks
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH PENUBUHAN KG GUUNSING PENAMPANG Sempena Nama tembaga Kira-kira 200 tahun yang lalu, pada asalnya, Kampung Guunsing adalah sebuah penempatan kecil (suok) didiami yang telah diasaskan oleh
Read the story For paid membersOntoros Berjuang Tentang Penindasan Oleh Nasron Sira Rahim KETIKA British menjajah Sabah pada penghujung abad ke-19, bangsa asing itu memperlakukan penduduk watan yang terdiri daripada kaum Murut
Read the story For paid membersLegenda Suku Lotud Tuaran. Mohon Izin : Suku Lotud kebanyakannya tinggal di Daerah Tuaran. Menurut Legenda nenek moyang Suku Lotud bukan berasal dari Nunuk Ragang tetapi penduduk jati
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH KEWUJUDAN KAMPUNG TONGOD, KINABATANGAN (SEJAK – 1880) SEJARAH AWAL Berdasarkan sejarah awal penduduk Pulau Borneo tergolong dalam kelompok Austronesia, iaitu daripada kelompok Negrito dan Austroloid. Kelompok ini
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH AWAL - SUKU ORANG LAUT - BAJAU SAMAH , SABAH, BORNEO Suku Badjoo, Bajus, Bajo, Badjao, Badjau, Bajao, Bajaw, Bajak Laut, Orang Laut, Orang Selat, Sama Laut,
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH TAWAU Sejarah Tawau tidak diketahui dengan jelas permulaannya terutamanya sebelum tahun 1890-an. Bagaimana pun Tawau telah pun mempunyai penduduk dengan sebuah perkampungan kecil dihuni lebih kurang
Read the story For paid membersLegenda Asal Usul Bajau Pantai Barat Kita cuba menjemput pembaca untuk berkongsi gambar dan menghuraikan Serba ringkas asal usul sebenar suku etnik Bajau?? Apa yg menarik adalah
Read the story For paid membersKaum Kadazan-Dusun merupakan nama kaum bumiputera asli yang terbesar di Sabah. Kaum ini juga dikenali sebagai "Momogun" atau "Mamasok" yang masing-masingnya bermaksud "
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.
