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
Sepintas Lalu: Diantara Sebab Musabab Migrasi Masyarakat Melayu Brunei Ke Sabah. Hasil Tulisan : Bilcher Bala I. Faktor Pertama Migrasi Masyarakat Melayu Brunei Ke Sabah. Migrasi masyarakat Melayu
Read the story For paid membersEMBO AKIL Beliau merupakan seorang ahli agama dimana dapat di lihat apabila peristiwa perahu karam yang di naiki oleh beliau dan terdampar di Kuala Pintasan suatu masa
Read the story For paid membersBy ROZAN YUNOS, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN ONE of the interesting islands in Brunei Bay is a small island called Pulau Cermin (cermin means mirror in Malay). Pulau
Read the story For paid membersLegenda dan Asal Usul Suku Makiang, Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Sabah Suku Makiang adalah Suku yang mendiami sebuah perkampungan di Kuala Tongod yang terletak di antara Kampung Koromuok iaitu
Read the story For paid membersLegenda dan Sejarah Awal Suku Kuijau : Mohon Izin (Juliana Jukin) (Johnny Sibangun) Pada zaman dulu kala, di zaman nenek moyang kita ada kisah dua orang suami isteri
Read the story For paid membersInternational Journal of Culture and History, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 2015 Influences of Regional Sama-Bajau Coastal Dwellings: Social Perspectives through Identity Molding Iziq Eafifi Ismail, Abdullah
Read the story For paid membersTercatit dalam sejarah Sabah bahawa Islam tiba di Pantai Barat Sabah pada awal tahun 1900an. Namun ada beberapa masjid yang telah dibina pada awal tahun 1800an. Diantaranya
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH NORTH BORNEO SABAH SPECIAL EDITION Recently, i went out for a visit and have a Kupi Kupi session with a person of which we just get
Read the story For paid membersSepintas Lalu: Riwayat Pengiran Pemancha Harimau Pengiran Mohd Daud... Pembuka Kata: Sejarah ibarat pelakat, boleh mengerat saudara jauh dan dekat, berkumpul mencari muafakat bersatu mendapat rahmat....
Read the story For paid membersPerjanjian Mengkabong 30hb Mac 1898 Chop Sultan Hassim
Read the story For paid membersSEJARAH NORTH BORNEO SABAH (Special Edition) Royal Australian Army Engineers in Sabah Brief Description of the Role Played by Royal Australian Army Engineers in Sabah during the
Read the story For paid membersKisah Epic kaum Dusun North Borneo. (Note: Kisah ini merupakan salah Satu versi kisah penyebaran bangsa Dusunic, Murutic, Paitanic dan Idaanic, empat bangsa bersaudara dan berasal dari
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.
