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
Sejarah Awal : Catatan Lisan Kisah Perpindahan dan Perang Minsangod Suku Tagahas atau Tagaas Mohon Izin (Michael J Luan) Suku Tagahas dikatakan mendapat nama apabila perkampungan awal mereka
Read the story For paid membersSekali lagi mengenai pahlawan wanita di Padas Damit MENJEJAKI PAHLAWAN WANITA DI PADAS DAMIT Oleh ABD.NADDIN HJ SHAIDDIN
Read the story For paid membersTUAN MASAIK MANUSIA KETURUNAN BULUH BETUNG ASAL-USUL TUAN MASAIK BERDASARKAN CERITA LISAN DI NEGERI SABAH Berdasarkan Tarsila Sulu yang menjadi rujukan ahli-ahli sejarah di Filipina dan Malaysia,
Read the story For paid membersby F.G. WHELAN One of the most famous pirate strongholds in the history of piracy in the East Indies was at Marudu in the north of
Read the story For paid membersMengkabong Kata pepatah,"langkah pertama lebih penting daripada kata pertama".
Read the story For paid membersA BRIEF HISTORY OF GAYA ISLAND 1846 -1899 UNDER THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO CHARTERED COMPANY Edited by Kumis Kumis A local resident of Pulau Gaya by the
Read the story For paid membersPERKAMPUNGAN Bagahak yang terletak di dataran tinggi begitu mendamaikan, apatah lagi tanah-tanihnya subur untuk penanaman padi huma. Ketua mereka, Lamugong memerintah dengan adil sehingga kampung tersebut aman
Read the story For paid membersSejarah Ringkas Pandasan merupakan sebuah perkampungan terpinggir di utara daerah Kota Belud Sabah. Satu ketika dahulu di bumi Pandasan ini masyarakatnya begitu teguh berpegang pada ajaran dan
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH NORTH BORNEO SABAH - SPECIAL EDITION THE NEW SACRED HEART CHURCH AT JESSELTON IMPRESSIVE OPENING CEREMONY An event of historic importance at Jesselton was the formal
Read the story For paid membersBRITISH NORTH BORNEO TREATIES BRITISH NORTH BORNEO
Read the story For paid membersBRITISH NORTH BORNEO TREATIES 20TH NOVEMBER 1891 Sungei Mengkabong, Menggatal dan Karambunai dan Kabatuan masok semua-nya sungei sungei dan lobok rantau dari Timbang Kiping masok Bukit Kapa
Read the story For paid membersPart 2 : North Borneo (Sabah): An annotated timeline 1640s-present - (1957 - Present : April 1, 2013) May 27, 1961 Inclusion of North Borneo (Sabah) in the concept
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.
