Sabah Introduction

Sabah, the second largest state in Malaysia, is situated at the northern part of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. It covers an area of 72,500 sq. kilometres with a coastline of 14,400 kilometres long washed by the South China Sea in the West, the Sulu Sea in the Northeast and the Celebes Sea in the East.

Known to the world as "THE LAND BELOW THE WIND", Sabah is rich not only in natural beauty and resources, but also in the cultural heritage of its people.

Flora and Fauna

Sabah is a botanical paradise. The world's largest flower, Rafflesia whose huge red bloom can grow up to a metre in diameter, is found in Sabah. Many species of orchids, pitcher plant and rhododendrons are endemic to sabah

Sabah is also a rugged country. The mountainous terrain are intersected by many rivers which flow through valleys across fertile plains. The jungles and forests are interlaced with numerous caves and there is the majestic Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia towering 4,101 metres.

The lush greenery provides home for wildlife such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Orang-Utan, Elephant, Mousedeer, Monkey, Flying Squirrel, Barking deer and birds.

Sabah's People and History

Sabah is also endowed with a heterogenous population. The indigenous population are made up of some 30 groups using more than 50 indigenous languages and not less than 80 dialects.

The main ethnic groups are: the Dusun/Kadazan - the largest group who make up nearly one third of the population, the Murut, the Paitan and the Bajau. Other indigenous groups include the Bonggi, the Iranun, the Ida'an and the Brunei. In addition, the Chinese make up the main nonindigenous group. Therefore, the people of Sabah are varied in their respective cultural backgrounds.

Based on archaeological findings, Sabah was inhabited by people from as early as 28,000 years ago. Islam came to Sabah towards the end of the 15 and 16 centuries Through the Arab and Indian traders and also as a result of the expansion of the Brunei Malay Sultanate.

It was another two centuries more before the Europeans came to Sabah. In 1775, the British East-India Company opened a trading base in Balembangan Island. However, it was the British North Borneo Chartered Company who effectively ruled Sabah from 1881 until 1942 when the Japanese occupied the state. After the devastation of the War, Sabah became a British Crown Colony until 31 August 1963 when it obtained self-government from the British. On 16 September 1963, Sabah together with Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya joined the Federation of Malaysia

pitcher plant 

pitcher plant in Sabah

The Tabin Wildlife Centre

Rhododendrons

Book About Sabah Rhodendrons

Most Popular Food...YummmY

Buras

Buras is a popular dish in Sabah .... in the 18th century has there-range-range .... it was renamed in conjunction with rice ..... do than by the inclusion-range .... for anyone not feel so-range loss ... because-range has a taste unique .. maybe anyone who loves spicy it will feel benevolence .... best of luck-range .... usually if you want to look for is the area-range visit Tawau ....

Sabahan Food

Assalamualaikum :)

Hello there, today I want to promote my lovely Sabah from the food itself. Sabah has a lot of traditional food and here I would gladly like to list some of the sabahan cuisine.

Tuhau Is one of the traditional cuisine for kadazan-dusuns people. For people who's not familiar with the smell, they would find it very unpleasant smell that make people don't really like to eat it. 

But most of the veteran people, would find the smell very appetising.

Tuhau

This Is the Tuhau Plant

This Is The Tuhau root that can be find in the fresh Market because it also can be cooked just like other vegetable as main dish.

BOSOU

Bosou is a signiture dish for Kadazan Dusun. Bosou making is simple, yet need practices for perfection. Typical ingredients are including raw freshwater fish, pangi , salt, steamed rice and some other optional ingredients such as jackfruits, young pineapple fruits, tuhau and many more. Storing of Bosou usually takes in a tight closed container. The traaditional container for the bosou is the bottle shaped gourd which sealed with some bee wax. Other traditional container includes kakanan. But now most of people uses tupperwares, glass bottles. Storing of bosou usually takes about five to seven days before it is can be eaten. Due to its strong smell and compost like nature, it is advised to tight closed the container to avoid flies and also avoid growth of fungi

Bosou can be eaten raw or cooked. Cooking is usually done to get rid of the smell and to enhance the taste of the bosou. Some may add dried onions, chillies and other ingredients during the cooking.


LADA PUTIH

 

Ok, this is one of my favourite, "Lada Putih". For Some people, maybe it tase really spicy, but its really delicious. "lada putih" is not something you eat it rawly but having it in somewhere as ingredient recipe, The "Lada Putih" is usually uses as a side meal that usually mix with many dishes, such as 'tuhau' and 'bosou'.

Maybe for someone who's eating it on a first time, there's a chance for that person to get a diarrhea. (laughing)

Tree Top Tropical World (SABAH)

Tawau Hills Park is very famous with the discovery of the world's tallest tropical tree of species Snail Yellow Seraya (Shorea faquetiana) 88.32 meters high by U.S. scientists, Dr. Roman Dial with two friends in 2006. According to records Tawau Hills Park. the highest number of visitors recorded was in February 2012 that as many as 10,300 people. Of the total, 447 are foreign tourists from Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, France, Russia, China, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Germany. To get here, visitors will go through the tracks in the woods as far as 900 meters.

~VISIT SEMPORNA SABAH~

The Beautiful Sea of Semporna

Semporna was founded soon after the British North Borneo Company established Sandakan, and initially settled by chinese traders, most fleeing from Spanish attack on the Sulu Sultanate. The name Semporna means place of rest ( as in sanskrits "Semporna" mening accomplishment) and was given after the Britished quelled resistance from the local Bajaus in the Mid 1880s, changing it from Tong Talun . Another story s that semporna was called place to settle or meeting place by four admirals Panglima Kabogan, Panglima Bum-Bum, Panglima Simunul and Panglima Abdullah. The oroginal founder of group of islands and the ancestor to the four admirals was panglima Jamaludin bin Ajibudin

UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE (SABAH)

Turn your world upside down when you visit this unique house in Tamparuli – literally! The ‘Rumah Terbalik’ (which translates to Upside Down House) is the first of its kind in South East Asia and among the five upside-down structures in the world (3 are found in Europe and another in Japan).

The house was opened to the public in early February 2012 and has since been attracting visitors from near and far. The house itself is hard to miss, having been flipped upside down, with its floor facing skyward. Everything inside the house, from furniture to household appliances, hover above your head, as the ceiling is actually the floor. Visitors will notice some distinguishing Sabahan décor and features showcased in this house. In the garage, a car is parked upside down. It might seem disorienting in the first few seconds, but the fascination of it all takes over. This architectural wonder has also been included in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first of its kind in the nation. Visitors can enjoy a meal or afternoon snack at the Rumah Terbalik Café or pick up a souvenir at the Gift Shop. Guided tours are available.

SM Teknik Lahad Datu (Largest School in Malaysia)

The school is built on a site measuring 128 acres (42 hectares) and is located at kilometer 13, Jalan Lahad Datu-Sandakan adjacent to Lahad Datu Science Secondary School and High School face Segama. This school is one school that has the most extensive area in Malaysia.

23 May 1988 was the first day SMVPLD operational. In the early years, the school only offers a course of 'Farm Management' with a total of 39 the number of students and teaching staff totaled nine people, including the principal. In addition, among other courses currently offered is Farm Machinery, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape and Business Management. Beginning January 1, 1998, SMVPLD was upgraded to become the Technical School of Lahad Datu and Mechanical Engineering courses introduced.