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
MENELUSURI TOKOH-TOKOH PEJUANG KEMERDEKAAN SABAH Sabah sudah melalui separuh abad sebagai negeri merdeka dari cengkamaan penjajah SBUB sejak 1881 dan bebas sepenuhnya pada 1963. Sebelum Sabah menyertai
Read the story For paid membersTAWAU. SEJARAH KEE ABDULLAH. BELIAU PEMILIK SEPARUH BANDAR TAWAU HINGGA KINI. SEJARAH TAWAU AWAL ABAD 20 ASAL Nama sebenar OKK yang begitu berpengaruh memodenkan Tawau ini ialah
Read the story For paid membersLegenda "Watu Papakang" "Any study of a culture that does not include folklore is in complete and that folklore may suggest clue to past
Read the story For paid membersMohon Izin - (Sejarah Putatan Di Zaman Datu Menteri Babu) Daerah Penampang dikatakan tidak berpenghuni di abad yg ke 17. Cuma ada sebuah perkampungan Brunei di Kinarut
Read the story For paid membersSejarah Awal Lahad Datu 2.0 Pendahuluan Lahad Datu menjadi petempatan awal direkodkan pada tahun 1789 iaitu apabila Datu Baginda Putih berhijrah ke Lahad Datu. Pentadbiran pertama
Read the story For paid membersIn 1963, John Alman of Kent College, Tuaran wrote an article entitled, "Incident at Pandasan" published in the Sabah Society Journal, highlighting a stone inscription
Read the story For paid membersSejarah Awal Pentadbiran Syarikat Berpiagam Borneo Utara British di Pandasan dan Tempasuk di abad ke 19. Sebelum tahun 1845, Wilayah Jajahan Brunei dari Sungai Ambong sehingga Teluk
Read the story For paid membersSuku Kaum Sungai Sabah "Tooi yoh toko kiawi pemaju nu bangsa toko kendiri...isoi kuwai info bekaitan leboh sungoi toi toko yo mukongsi2 maklumat..ado ya
Read the story For paid membersPada zaman dahulu, daerah Tempasuk merupakan daerah yang penuh kekacauan. Di daerah pesisir pantai kawasan dikuasai oleh kegiatan lanun yang berasal dari kaum Iranun dan Balingingi; di
Read the story For paid membersGunting was a Dusun warrior who led a rebellion against the British North Borneo Chartered Company (BNBCC) in what was to be known as the Gunting War
Read the story For paid membersSejarah sengketa di Gua Gomantong, Kinabatangan Pangeran Samah merupakan seorang ketua suku Buludupi yg amat berpengaruh di kawasan Sungai Kinabatangan, Segaliud, Segama sehingga Teluk Darvel. Beliau adalah
Read the story For paid membersKedayan Sepintas Lalu; Asal usul Kedayan, puak Kedayan, Brunei Kaum Kedayan berjumlah sekitar 100 ribu orang di Malaysia dengan tumpuan penempatan di bahagian utara Sarawak dan Teluk
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.
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