Editing Sabah (section)

== Culture ==
{{see also|Culture of Malaysia}}
[[File:Kota Kinabalu Sabah NationalDepartmentOfCultureAndArts-SabahBranch-01.jpg|thumb|right|The branch building of [[National Department for Culture and Arts]] in Kota Kinabalu.]]
Sabah culture is diverse due to a wide range of different ethnicity.<ref name="indigenous culture"/> In the coastal areas, Sabahan culture has been influenced by the Bruneian Malays and West Coast Bajaus on the west coast side while in the east coast it is influenced by either East Coast Bajau, Bugis, and Suluk cultures with Islam being the important part of their lives.<ref name="culture relationship">{{cite journal |title=The relationship between culture and leadership style preference among Malay-Brunei, Bajau and Kadazan-Dusun community in Sabah, Malaysia |author1=Dg Kamisah Ag Budin |author2=Syed Azizi Wafa |journal=Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Malaysia Sabah |volume=34 |issue = 10|pages=1202–1210 |year=2015 |doi=10.1108/JMD-02-2015-0019 |issn=0262-1711}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Stephen Chia |title=Wood Coffin Burial of Kinabatangan, Sabah (Penerbit USM) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=URsIBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA93 |date= 2014 |publisher=Penerbit USM |isbn=978-983-861-726-0 |page=93}}</ref> Christianity plays an important part to the indigenous cultures in the interior side in the daily lives of the Kadazan-Dusun, Lundayeh, Murut and Rungus beside their old practice of the traditional Animism and Paganism.<ref name="culture relationship"/> The indigenous culture however are in danger and facing extinction due to widespread cultural assimilation from Peninsular to the state. Controversial [[Malayisation]] take place in the state since Malaya-based political parties took over the Sabah Government.<ref>{{cite journal |title="Are They Making Fun of Us?" The Politics of Development in Sabah, Malaysia |author=Amity A. Doolittle |journal= Social Science Research on Southeast Asia|date=2001 |pages=75–95 |volume=4 |issue=4 |doi=10.4000/moussons.3454|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/WP334.pdf |title=Sabah's Unrelenting Exclusionary And Inclusionary Politics |author1=Vilashini Somiah |author2=Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo |journal= S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore |date=5 May 2021 |page=16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314072759/https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/WP334.pdf |archive-date=14 March 2022 }}</ref>

There is a number of cultural villages exhibiting Sabah indigenous cultures such as the Borneo Cultural Village,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.borneolegend.com/Borneo%20Cultural%20Village.cfm |title=Home Page (Borneo Cultural Village) |publisher=Borneo Legend |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828093809/http://www.borneolegend.com/Borneo%20Cultural%20Village.cfm |archive-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref> Mari Mari Cultural Village<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marimariculturalvillage.com/ |title=Home Page |publisher=Mari Mari Cultural Village |access-date=28 August 2016}}</ref> and [[Monsopiad]] Cultural Village,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/monsopiad-heritage-village |title=Monsopiad Heritage Village |publisher=Sabah Tourism |access-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref> where cultural performances are also performed. [[Sabah Museum]] houses a number of collection of various [[artifact (archaeology)|artefacts]], [[brass]]ware and [[ceramics]] covering the diverse culture of Sabah, [[natural history]], [[Timeline of international trade|trade history]] and [[Muslim world|Islamic civilisation]] together with an ethnobotanical garden and science and technology centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museum.sabah.gov.my/?q=content/sabah-museum-kota-kinabalu |title=Sabah Museum Kota Kinabalu |publisher=[[Sabah Museum]] |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828131352/http://www.museum.sabah.gov.my/?q=content%2Fsabah-museum-kota-kinabalu |archive-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref> Other museums include the [[Agop Batu Tulug Caves|Agop Batu Tulug Museum]], [[Agnes Newton Keith|Agnes Keith]] House (''[[Agnes Keith House|Newlands]]''), [[Pogunon Community Museum]], [[Sandakan Heritage Museum]], Teck Guan Cocoa Museum and 3D Wonders Museum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1579852 |title=Sandakan and Kinabatangan museums highlight east Sabah heritage |work=Bernama |publisher=The Sun |date=13 October 2015 |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828140307/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1579852 |archive-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etawau.com/PlacesInterest/CocoaMuseum.htm |title=Teck Guan Cocoa Museum |publisher=e-tawau |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828142950/http://www.etawau.com/PlacesInterest/CocoaMuseum.htm |archive-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/3d-wonders-museum/ |title=3D Wonders Museum |publisher=Upside Down House |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828140907/http://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/3d-wonders-museum/ |archive-date=28 August 2016 }}</ref> There is also a number of preserved British, German and Japanese [[colonial architecture]] such as the [[Atkinson Clock Tower]], [[Batu Tinagat Lighthouse]], [[Jesselton Hotel]], ruins of [[Kinarut Mansion]], the [[Sabah Tourism Board]] building, [[Tawau Bell Tower]] together with a number of memorials and monuments. Other unique tourist attractions include the ''Rumah Terbalik'' (Upside Down House) and Borneo Ant House.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/ |title=The Upside-down House |publisher=Upside Down House |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503050259/https://upsidedownhouse.com.my/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://borneobulletin.com.bn/borneo-ant-house-new-tourist-attraction-sabah/ |title=Borneo Ant House, new tourist attraction in Sabah |publisher=Borneo Bulletin |date=30 June 2017 |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710133038/http://borneobulletin.com.bn/borneo-ant-house-new-tourist-attraction-sabah/ |archive-date=10 July 2017 }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="Traditional houses in Sabah">
File:Salarom Sabah Frame-of-a-new-house-01.jpg|alt=The wooden frame of a house under construction, with the floor raised off the ground|A traditional house under construction
File:Tambulian KotaBelud Sabah Traditional-houses-02.jpg|[[Bajau people|Bajau]] house
File:Bisaya House.JPG|[[Bisaya (Borneo)|Bisaya]] house
File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Rumah-Brunei-01.jpg|[[Bruneian Malay people|Brunei Malay]] house
File:Kanibongan Sabah Longhouse-01.jpg|[[Dusun people|Dusun]] longhouse
File:Iranun House.JPG|[[Illanun people|Illanun]] house
File:Lotud House.JPG|[[Lotud]] house
</gallery>

=== Fine arts and crafts ===
[[File:KgKuaiKandazon Sabah Monsopiad-Cultural-Village-DansePerformance-10.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The ''[[Sumazau]]'' dance performance of Papar Kadazan at the [[Monsopiad]] Cultural Village.]]
[[Handicraft]] and [[souvenir]] productions are part of the tourism products in Sabah. In addition, the Sabah Crafts Exotica programme has been held annually since 2011 in different small local museums.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/04/05/museum-should-be-aggressive-in-attracting-visitors/ |title=Museum should be aggressive in attracting visitors |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910042339/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/04/05/museum-should-be-aggressive-in-attracting-visitors/ |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=111151 |title=Crafts Exotica woos culture lovers |newspaper=Daily Express |date=5 July 2016 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910042653/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=111151 |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref> Following the various initiatives by state government to encourage local entrepreneurs for state handicrafts, there were a total of 526 entrepreneurs in 2012 which increased to 1,483 in 2013 and 1,702 in 2014 with total sales value up from RM31 million to RM56 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=92709 |title=Overseas promotion next year for local handicraft |newspaper=Daily Express |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910045808/http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=92709 |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:Tambunan Sabah Roundabout-with Sompoton.jpg|thumb|right|The [[roundabout]] in Tambunan with the sculpture of [[Sompoton]], the main musical instrument of Sabah.]]
Every ethnic groups in Sabah are known for their traditional music instruments,<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=851525 |title=The Musical Instruments of Sabah, Malaysia |author=Edward M. Frame |journal= Ethnomusicology|date=May 1982 |pages=247–274 |volume=26 |issue=2 |doi=10.2307/851525}}</ref> the coastal people of Bajau, Brunei Malays, Bugis, Illanun, Kedayan and Suluks known for their [[gendang]], [[rebana|kompang]] and [[kulintangan]];<ref>{{cite book |author=Elaine Lee |title=Ethnic musical instruments of Malaysia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqWfAAAAMAAJ |year=2006 |publisher=Win Publication|isbn=978-983-2312-17-8 }}</ref> while the interior people such as the Dusun known with their [[bungkau]], [[sompoton]] and turali, the Lun Bawang/Lun Dayeh with their bass, the Kadazan with their tongkungon, the Murut with their tagunggak, the Rungus with their sundatang, tontog and turuding;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/07/13/beauty-to-promote-rungus-culture/ |title=Beauty to promote Rungus culture |author=Jenne Lajiun |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714075738/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/07/13/beauty-to-promote-rungus-culture/ |archive-date=14 July 2016 }}</ref><ref name="rungus culture">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=111275 |title=Promoting Rungus attire and musical instruments |newspaper=Daily Express |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044722/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=111275 |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref> [[suling]] is mostly played by all the interior ethnic groups of Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus and Lun Bawang/Lun Dayeh in the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flyingdusun.com/004_Features/043_instruments.htm |title=Music Instruments in Sabah |author=Herman Scholz |publisher=Flying Dusun |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910063525/http://www.flyingdusun.com/004_Features/043_instruments.htm |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref> Every ethnic groups also known for their traditional dances; both Kadazan-Dusun were known for their ''[[Sumazau]]'' dance, the Murut with their ''Magunatip'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=1791 |title=Magunatip influenced by P'pines' Tinikling? |newspaper=Daily Express |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910101324/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=1791 |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref> the Rungus with their ''Mongigol Sumundai'',<ref name="rungus culture"/> The Lun Bawang/Lun Dayeh with their ''Alai Busak Baku'', the Brunei Malays with their ''Adai-Adai'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabah.gov.my/pd.ppr/kebudayaan.htm |title=Kebudaan Papar (Brunei) |trans-title=Papar Culture (Brunei) |publisher=Papar District Office |access-date=10 September 2016 |language=ms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029011852/http://www.sabah.gov.my/pd.ppr/kebudayaan.htm |archive-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref> the West Coast Bajau with their ''Limbai'' and ''Kuda Pasu'', the East Coast Bajau and Suluk with their ''[[Pangalay]]'' (also known as ''Daling-Daling'' or ''Mengalai''), Bisaya with their ''Liliput'' and the Cocos Malays with their ''Dansa'' and ''Nona Mansaya'' along with many other dances from other sub-ethnic groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabah.edu.my/itma018/Culture/Dances.htm |title=Dances of Sabah |publisher=Sabah Education Department |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910100718/http://www.sabah.edu.my/itma018/Culture/Dances.htm |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation |title=Cultures, customs, and traditions of Sabah, Malaysia: an introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M5xuAAAAMAAJ |date= 1993 |publisher=Sabah Tourism Promotion Corp.|isbn=978-983-020-000-2 }}</ref> Beside that, the state of Sabah is also known for [[Malaysian batik|batik]] production though the industry are still small than the major batik producer states in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Keluarga/20140302/ke_02/Nilai-tinggi-batik-Sabah |title=Nilai tinggi batik Sabah |trans-title=High value Sabah batik |author=Hisyamuddin Ayub |language=ms |newspaper=Utusan Malaysia |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910080217/http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Keluarga/20140302/ke_02/Nilai-tinggi-batik-Sabah |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref> The state batik has since been commercialised to enter the international market.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/14/sabah-batik-penetrates-international-market/ |title=Sabah batik penetrates international market |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=14 November 2012 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910080704/http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/14/sabah-batik-penetrates-international-market/ |archive-date=10 September 2016 }}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{main|Sabahan cuisine}}
[[File:Swordfish hinava.jpg|thumb|left|A swordfish [[hinava]] served with [[Pullman loaf|sandwich bread]]]]
Notable dishes in Sabah include the Beaufort mee,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/places-visit-beaufort-sabah-malaysia-54995.html |title=Places to Visit in Beaufort (Sabah), Malaysia |author=Joanne Robitaille |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905052200/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/places-visit-beaufort-sabah-malaysia-54995.html |archive-date=5 September 2016 }}</ref><ref name="noodles">{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tour.jp/wp/useful/machikado/foods/|script-title=ja:「オススメ ミー(麺)料理」 |language=ja |publisher=u-tour (Japan) |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905051507/http://www.u-tour.jp/wp/useful/machikado/foods/ |archive-date=5 September 2016 }}</ref> bosou,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eprints.ums.edu.my/13234/ |title=Bosou – makanan tradisi masyarakat Dusun Sabah |trans-title=Bosou – the traditional food of the Sabah Dusun community |language=ms |publisher=Universiti Malaysia Sabah Repository |year=2014 |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> [[hinava]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel.asiaone.com/travel/inspirations/cuisines-malaysia |title=Cuisines in Malaysia |work=Tourism Malaysia |publisher=AsiaOne |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905043020/http://travel.asiaone.com/travel/inspirations/cuisines-malaysia |archive-date=5 September 2016 }}</ref> ngiu chap, pinasakan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/09/16/sabah-pinasakan/ |title=Sabah: Pinasakan |author=Sharmila Nair |work=The Star |date=16 September 2016 |access-date=17 September 2016}}</ref> Sipitang [[satay]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/focus/2016/05/23/sipitangs-road-to-industrial-success-border-town-known-for-good-satay-soon-to-be-countrys-largest-ur/ |title=Sipitang's road to industrial success |author=Ruben Sario |work=The Star |date=23 May 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |quote=Sipitang is also widely known as having among the best satay in the state and many drive to the town just to taste the speciality.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/07/01/school-allocations-to-be-trimmed-by-20-pct/ |title=School allocations to be trimmed by 20 pct |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=1 July 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |quote=We were also told that Sipitang is also widely known as having the best satay in Sabah and many come to the town to taste the specialty. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905050301/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/07/01/school-allocations-to-be-trimmed-by-20-pct/ |archive-date=5 September 2016 }}</ref> Tuaran mee,<ref name="noodles"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jan/06/real-street-food-tuaran-mee-noodles |title=Real street food: Tuaran mee noodles |author=Jackie Miao |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 January 2015 |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905043513/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jan/06/real-street-food-tuaran-mee-noodles |archive-date=5 September 2016 }}</ref> tuhau,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/bisnes/tumbuhan-liar-berbau-hasilkan-makanan-komersil-1.360242 |title=Tumbuhan liar berbau hasilkan makanan komersil |trans-title=Wild smelly plants produces commercial food |author=Connie S Monical |language=ms |publisher=[[Sinar Harian]] |date=14 February 2015 |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914093812/http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/bisnes/tumbuhan-liar-berbau-hasilkan-makanan-komersil-1.360242 |archive-date=14 September 2016 }}</ref> the bambangan fruit (''[[mangifera pajang]]'') along with many others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://says.com/my/lifestyle/sabahan-dishes-you-need-to-try-before-you-die |title=15 Sabahan Dishes You Need To Try Before You Die |author=Samantha Khor |publisher=Says.com |date=14 April 2017 |access-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517025754/http://says.com/my/lifestyle/sabahan-dishes-you-need-to-try-before-you-die |archive-date=17 May 2017 }}</ref> Apart from these, Sabah also features a number of snacks like [[amplang]], [[cincin]], [[lidah]], roti kahwin, [[Unidentified flying object|UFOs]] [[pinjaram]] and Sandakan [[tart]]<ref>Picture of [https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/15982013542_6323ea4d64_c.jpg Sandakan UFO tart].</ref> and dessert like [[lamban]], nuba tingaa, [[punjung]], sinamu and Tuaran coconut pudding.<ref>{{cite book |author=Tamara Thiessen |title=Borneo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfATCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA191 |date= 2016 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-915-5 |page=191}}</ref> Every ethnic group has its own cuisine with different styles of preparing, cooking, serving and eating the food. Examples of Sabah-based companies promoting [[dairy product]] and state drinks are like the [[Desa Cattle]], [[Tenom coffee]] and [[Sabah Tea]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/09/02/tea-attraction-at-crocker-range-sabah-tea-resort-to-offer-factory-tour-as-well-as-access-to-other-po/ |title=Tea attraction at Crocker |work=The Star |date=2 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> The indigenous people features a number of [[alcoholic drink]]s such as bahar, kinomol, [[lihing]], montoku, sagantang, sikat and tuak;<ref>{{cite book |author1=Zawawi Ibrahim |author2=Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Institute of East Asian Studies |title=Voices of the Crocker Range indigenous communities Sabah: social narratives of transition in Tambunan and its neighbours: a monograph based on the UNIMAS led International Crocker Range Expedition 2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1JtuAAAAMAAJ |date= 2001 |publisher=The Institute of East Asian Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak |isbn=978-983-2369-01-1}}</ref> with the state itself becoming the third-highest in alcohol consumption in the country after Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2013/05/11/sabah-is-3rd-highest-in-alcohol-consumption/ |title=Sabah is 3rd highest in alcohol consumption |work=Bernama |publisher=The Star |date=11 May 2013 |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> The [[English Tea House and Restaurant]] in Sandakan is another attraction promoting the [[Tea in the United Kingdom|British tea culture]]. Other international shops and restaurants such as for Western food, Middle Eastern food, Bruneian food, Indonesian food, Filipino food, Japanese food, Korean food, Russian food, Taiwanese food, Thai food and Vietnamese food have their presence there. The increasing number of tourists on the purpose of [[culinary tourism]] has since raised the local awareness on the importance of local food to state tourism.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Salleh Mohd Radzi |author2=Mohd Faeez Saiful Bakhtiar |author3=Zurinawati Mohi |author4=Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari |author5=Norzuwana Sumarjan |author6=C.T. Chik |author7=Faiz Izwan Anuar |title=Theory and Practice in Hospitality and Tourism Research |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=61fLBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA485 |date= 2014 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-315-73735-5 |page=485}}</ref>

=== Portrayal in media ===
[[File:BNB-OfficialGazette-1892-04-16.jpg|thumb|right|Extract from the title page of the British North Borneo Official Gazette (the [[British North Borneo Herald]]) of 16 April 1902.]]
Much of the information of the territory was kept in the records of [[Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society]] (since 1820) and [[British North Borneo Herald]] (since 1883). [[Joseph Hatton]] published one of the earliest book titled "North Borneo – Explorations and Adventures in the Equator" (1886) based on the exploration notes leave by his son Frank Hatton who served under the [[North Borneo Chartered Company]], his son was accidentally killed during his journey in Segama River on North Borneo.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/northborneoexpl01hattgoog#page/n10/mode/2up |title=North Borneo – Explorations and Adventures in the Equator |author1=Frank Hatton |author2=Joseph Hatton |location=New York |publisher=Scribner and Welford |year=1886 |access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref> Ada Pryer wrote a book about her life in North Borneo titled "A Decade in Borneo" (1894, re-issued 2001) as her husband, [[William Burgess Pryer|William Pryer]] also served for the North Borneo Chartered Company.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/decadeinborneo00prye |title=A Decade in Borneo |author=Ada Pryer |location=London |publisher=Hutchinson |year=1894 |access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> The earliest known footage of North Borneo is from three American movies by [[Martin and Osa Johnson]] titled "Jungle Adventures" (1921), "Jungle Depths of Borneo" (1937) and "Borneo" (1937).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://safarimuseum.com/wab_borneo2004.htm |title=Johnson Family Reunion |publisher=The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum |date=September 2004 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218143248/http://safarimuseum.com/wab_borneo2004.htm |archive-date=18 December 2005 }}</ref> Australian author [[Wendy Law Suart]] lived in North Borneo capital between 1949 and 1953 and wrote a book titled "The Lingering Eye – Recollections of North Borneo" based on her experiences there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dingomedia.co.uk/html/the_lingering_eye.html |title="THE LINGERING EYE" – Recollections of North Borneo |publisher=Dingo Media (United Kingdom) |access-date=1 September 2016}}</ref>

[[File:3CameHomePoster.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Three Came Home]], a 1950 Hollywood film based on the memoir of [[Agnes Newton Keith]] life in Sandakan, North Borneo (present-day Sabah) during World War II.<ref name="Three Came Home"/>]]
An English author K.G. Tregonning wrote a book about his travel to Jesselton from Singapore in a book titled "North Borneo" (1960).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.questia.com/library/7397052/north-borneo |title=North Borneo |publisher= |archive-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003062051/https://www.questia.com/library/7397052/north-borneo }}</ref> Various other American films have been taken in the state, such as the "[[Three Came Home]]" (1950), a [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film based on the memoir of [[Agnes Newton Keith]] in her book depicting the situation of World War II in Sandakan.<ref name="Three Came Home"/> Keith also wrote three other books about the state, such as "Land Below the Wind", "White Man Returns" and "Beloved Exiles". A Japanese film called "[[Sandakan No. 8]]" (1974) directed by [[Kei Kumai]] tells the story of prostitution by ''[[Karayuki-san]]'' in Sandakan Japanese brothel based on the 1972 book ''Sandakan Brothel No. 8: An Episode in the History of Lower-Class'' by Yamazaki Tomoko.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Tomoko Yamazaki|author2=Karen F. Colligan-Taylor|title=Sandakan Brothel No.8: Journey into the History of Lower-class Japanese Women: Journey into the History of Lower-class Japanese Women|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vlXrBgAAQBAJ&pg=PR42|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-46025-1|page=42}}</ref> In the [[Earl Mac Rauch]] novelisation of the American "[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension|Buckaroo Banzai]]" novel (Pocket Books, 1984; repr. 2001), as well in the DVD film, [[Buckaroo Banzai (character)|Buckaroo]]'s archenemy Hanoi Xan is said to have his secret base in Sabah, in a "relic city of caves".<ref>{{cite book |author=Earl Mac Rauch |title=The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kddIYWJRpQcC&pg=PA22 |date= 2001 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-7434-4248-0 |page=22}}</ref> "[[Bat*21]]" (1988), another American film depicting the [[Vietnam War]] was shot at various locations in the suburbs north of Kota Kinabalu, including [[Menggatal]], [[Telipok]], Kayu Madang and Lapasan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/10/28/danny-glover-flies-new-course-in-bat-21/ |title=Danny Glover Flies New Course In 'Bat 21' |author=Jim Emerson |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=28 October 1988 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830101655/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-10-28/entertainment/8802110222_1_bat-viet-cong-danny-glover |archive-date=30 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Another English author [[Redmond O'Hanlon]] also wrote a book titled "Into the Heart of Borneo" (1984) about Borneo island.<ref>{{cite book |author=Redmond O'Hanlon |title=Into the Heart of Borneo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pjj0LUQ6Ln4C |year= 2005 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-0-14-193590-4}}</ref> While Sydney-based Australian author Lynette Ramsay Silver wrote two books about the history of Sabah such as "Sandakan – A Conspiracy of Silence" (1998) and "Blood Brothers – Sabah and Australia 1942–1945" (2010). In early 2016, a "Roll of Honour" immortalising 2,479 British and Australian soldiers who died in Sabah during the World War II has been presented by a British [[Royal Artillery]] veteran to Sabah State Tourism, Culture and Environment Department, the roll lists a record of the identity of every [[prisoner of war]] (POW) during the [[Sandakan Death March]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/03/10/british-veteran-presents-roll-of-honour-to-sabah/ |title=British veteran presents Roll of Honour to Sabah |author=Murib Morpi |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=4 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004053814/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/03/10/british-veteran-presents-roll-of-honour-to-sabah/ |archive-date=4 October 2016 }}</ref> In 2017, an English woman named Mary Christina Lewin (Tina Rimmer) who had lived in North Borneo since 1949,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/03/16/love-for-sabah-stops-british-woman-from-going-home/ |title=Love for Sabah stops British woman from going home |work=Bernama |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=16 March 2011 |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611131827/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/03/16/love-for-sabah-stops-british-woman-from-going-home/ |archive-date=11 June 2017 }}</ref> was given the 'Sabah Cultural Icon' as the first person to receive the award for her lifelong contribution to the people in the territory and her biggest role as educationist and artist who portrayed the life scene of North Borneo through her artworks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/11/rimmer-first-sabah-cultural-icon/ |title=Rimmer first Sabah Cultural Icon |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=11 June 2017 |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611130904/http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/11/rimmer-first-sabah-cultural-icon/ |archive-date=11 June 2017 }}</ref>

Following the beginning of Malaysian films in 1970s along with the foundation of Sabah Film Production, several local films have been produced and filmed in the state by the state production, among those are "Keluarga Si Comat" (1975) and "Hapuslah Air Matamu" (1976) (produced with a collaboration with Indonesian Film Production).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/beritaharian19741222.2.30.3.aspx |title='Keluarga Si Comat' dalam warna-warni mula difilem |trans-title=The 'Comat family' in various colours began to be filmed |author=Aduka |language=ms |work=[[Berita Harian (Singapore)|Berita Harian]] |publisher=[[National Library Board]], Singapore |date=22 December 1974 |access-date=30 August 2016 |page=18}}<br />{{*}} {{cite web |url=http://www.antarasulteng.com/berita/927/film-gerimis-mengundang-pererat-hubungan-ri-malaysia |title=Film "Gerimis Mengundang" Pererat Hubungan RI-Malaysia |trans-title=The "Gerimis Mengundang" Film Strengthens RI-Malaysia Relations |author=Rolex Malaha |language=id |publisher=[[Antara (news agency)|Antara]] |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830104652/http://www.antarasulteng.com/berita/927/film-gerimis-mengundang-pererat-hubungan-ri-malaysia |archive-date=30 August 2016 }}<br />{{*}} {{cite news |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/11/sumbangan-sabah-filem-dalam-industri-filem-di-malaysia/ |title=Sumbangan Sabah Filem dalam industri filem di Malaysia |trans-title=Contributions of Sabah Film in the Malaysian film industry |author=Melati Pusaka |language=ms |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830110411/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/11/sumbangan-sabah-filem-dalam-industri-filem-di-malaysia/ |archive-date=30 August 2016 }}</ref> Abu Bakar Ellah (popularly known as Ampal) then became the leading artist of Sabah comedy film with his film titled "Orang Kita".<ref>{{cite book |author1=David C. L. Lim |author2=Hiroyuki Yamamoto |title=Film in Contemporary Southeast Asia: Cultural Interpretation and Social Intervention |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-vGBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT156 |date= 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-59246-1 |page=156}}</ref> In the present day, state-produced dramas and documentaries are usually aired either on [[TVi (Malaysia)|TVi]], [[TV1 (Malaysia)|TV1]] or [[TV2 (Malaysia)|TV2]] while state musics aired on radios through Bayu FM, [[Kupi-Kupi FM]], Sabah FM and Sabah vFM. Sabah was featured in the British popular reality show of "[[Survivor: Borneo]]" and the American show of "[[Eco-Challenge]] Borneo" in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/heat-leeches-and-team-spirit/article1042052/ |title=Heat, leeches and team spirit |author=Patricia Young |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=30 August 2000 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830113900/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/heat-leeches-and-team-spirit/article1042052/ |archive-date=30 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/eco-challenge/ |title=Eco-Challenge |publisher=[[TV.com]] |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830115955/http://www.tv.com/shows/eco-challenge/ |archive-date=30 August 2016 }}</ref> In 2001, the state was featured in a 2001 Filipino documentary titled "Sabah: Ang Bagong Amerika?" by [[Vicky Morales]] on the story of Filipino immigrants from the Sulu Archipelago escaping [[Poverty in the Philippines|poverty and starvation in the Philippines]] by entering Sabah illegally to earn livehood but facing risk being caught, tortured and deported as Malaysian laws are getting strict on illegal migration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/127676/publicaffairs/sine-totoo-presents-vicky-morales-sabah-ang-bagong-amerika |title=Sine Totoo presents Vicky Morales' "Sabah: Ang Bagong Amerika?" |publisher=[[GMA News]] |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830130902/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/127676/publicaffairs/sine-totoo-presents-vicky-morales-sabah-ang-bagong-amerika |archive-date=30 August 2016 }}</ref> In 2003, the state was featured on "[[The Amazing Race 4|The Amazing Race]]" for the first time as well on a 2009 Hong Kong drama of "[[Born Rich (TV series)|Born Rich]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20090327-131438.html |title=HK stars in Sabah for shoot |work=New Straits Times |publisher=[[AsiaOne]] |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> The state was also featured in a 2014 American documentary of "[[Sacred Planet]]" and featured again in a new edition of "[[The Amazing Race 24|The Amazing Race]]" as well on a Korean reality show programme titled the "[[Law of the Jungle (TV program)|Law of the Jungle]]", both in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.malaysiandigest.com/hiburan/485470-onew-shinee-dongjun-ze-a-kini-di-sabah-jalani-penggambaran.html |title=ONEW (Shinee) & Dongjun (ZE:A) Kini di Sabah, Jalani Penggambaran |trans-title=ONEW (Shinee) & Dongjun (ZE: A) Now in Sabah, Do Some Shooting |language=ms |publisher=Malaysian Digest |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830122716/http://www.malaysiandigest.com/hiburan/485470-onew-shinee-dongjun-ze-a-kini-di-sabah-jalani-penggambaran.html |archive-date=30 August 2016 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In early 2017, [[Cinema of Hong Kong|Hong Kong film industry]] once again choose Sabah as one of the location for a new romance film titled "She Will Be Loved".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/13732 |title=Hong Kong movie production chooses Sabah as filming location |author=Paul Mu |publisher=New Sabah Times |date=24 February 2017 |access-date=30 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330135314/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/13732 |archive-date=30 March 2017 }}</ref>

=== Holidays and festivals ===
{{main|Public holidays in Sabah|Public holidays in Malaysia}}
[[File:State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan crowning.jpg|thumb|right|During the harvest festival of ''[[Kaamatan]]'', there is heritage beauty pageant of ''[[Unduk Ngadau]]'' being held annually in Sabah to honour of the legendary ''[[Huminodun]]'', a maiden who sacrificed herself to save her people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://international.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/unduk-ngadau-more-just-beauty-pageant-363224|title=Unduk Ngadau more than just a beauty pageant|agency=Bernama|via=Astro Awani|date=26 May 2022|access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>]]
[[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Borneo-Bug-Fest-2016-01.jpg|thumb|right|The Borneo Bug Fest in 2016, featuring [[Volkswagen Beetle]].]]
Sabahans observe a number of holidays and festivals throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sabah.gov.my/main/en-GB/Home/EventHoliday |title=List Of Public Holiday (Updated Regularly Every Year) |publisher=Sabah State Government |access-date=3 September 2016 |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911121308/https://www.sabah.gov.my/main/en-GB/Home/EventHoliday }}</ref> Apart from the national [[Independence Day (Malaysia)|Independence Day]], [[Malaysia Day]] celebrations and the State Governor's birthday, Sabah celebrates [[Sabah Day]] annually on 31 August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=112493 |title=Sabah Day should be remembered |newspaper=Daily Express |date=1 September 2016 |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903110928/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=112493 |archive-date=3 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/one-mans-meat/2016/09/03/the-other-sabah-celebration-an-alternative-commemoration-on-aug-31-could-be-the-sign-of-a-future-shi/ |title=The 'other' Sabah celebration |work=The Star |date=3 September 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Every ethnic groups celebrate their own festivals and the culture of open house (''rumah terbuka'') with the visits of families and friends from other races and religion are a norm especially with the interracial marriage between different ethnic groups of different background.<ref name="Ipgrave2008">{{cite book |author=Michael Ipgrave |title=Building a Better Bridge: Muslims, Christians, and the Common Good: a Record of the Fourth Building Bridges Seminar Held in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, May 15–18, 2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O109P8UHP2wC&pg=PA109 |year=2008 |publisher=Georgetown University Press |isbn=978-1-58901-731-3 |page=109}}</ref> Sabah are the only state in Malaysia to declare the [[Kaamatan]] celebration a public holiday.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Erich Kolig |author2=Vivienne S. M. Angeles |author3=Sam Wong |title=Identity in Crossroad Civilisations: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Globalism in Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N_Jkjk2Tec4C&pg=PA48 |year=2009 |publisher=Amsterdam University Press |isbn=978-90-8964-127-4 |page=48}}</ref> Both Sabah and Sarawak are also the only two states in Malaysia that declare [[Good Friday]] a public holiday.<ref name="Ipgrave2008"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/03/21/declare-good-friday-a-public-holiday/ |title=Declare Good Friday a public holiday |author=V Thomas |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323195416/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/03/21/declare-good-friday-a-public-holiday/ |archive-date=23 March 2013 }}</ref> Many festivals are being held annually in Sabah such as the [[Bon festival#Bon Odori|Bon Odori]] Festival,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/20438|title=Bon Odori 2017 celebrates Malaysia-Japan continuous relations|author=Dk Ryni Qareena|publisher=New Sabah Times|date=11 December 2017|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919043503/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/20438|archive-date=19 September 2018}}</ref> Sabah Jazz,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=134578|title=Music lovers throng inaugural Sabah Jazz|author=Ricardo Unto|newspaper=Daily Express|date=29 April 2019|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> Borneo Bird Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.borneobirdfestival.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Borneo Bird Festival |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Borneo Bug Fest, Borneo Eco Film Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beff.org.my/ |title=Home |publisher=Borneo Eco Film Festival |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Kota Kinabalu Food Fest,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kkfoodfest.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Kota Kinabalu Food Fest |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508125315/http://kkfoodfest.com/ }}</ref> Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kkjazzfest.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Sabah Dragon Boat Festival, Sabah Fest,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahfest.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Sabah Fest |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Sabah International Folklore Festival and Sabah Sunset Music Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sunsetmusicfest.my/ |title=Home |publisher=Sunset Music Festival |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228053711/http://www.sunsetmusicfest.my/ }}</ref>

=== Sports ===
[[File:Kota-Kinabalu Sabah Borneo-International-Marathon-2015-03.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Borneo International Marathon]] in 2015.]]
North Borneo sent its own teams to participate in the [[North Borneo at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956]] [[Summer Olympic Games]],<ref>{{cite book |author1=Carole Fink |author2=Frank Hadler |author3=Tomasz Schramm |title=1956: European and Global Perspectives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k7Fll8r04qMC&pg=PA283 |year=2006 |publisher=Leipziger Universitätsverlag |isbn=978-3-937209-56-2 |page=283}}</ref> [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958]] and [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thecgf.net/countries/intro.asp?loc=SBH |title=Commonwealth Games Federation – Countries – North Borneo |publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828204005/http://thecgf.net/countries/intro.asp?loc=SBH }}</ref> as well on the [[1962 Asian Games]] before its athletes started representing Malaysia after 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620905-1.2.129.4.aspx |title=Japan top the list with 73 'golds' |work=The Straits Times |publisher=National Library Board |date=5 September 1962 |access-date=11 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?SYCXGjC0df+J2ChZBk5tvA== |title=Jakarta 1962 |publisher=[[Olympic Council of Asia]] |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101050016/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?SYCXGjC0df+J2ChZBk5tvA== |archive-date=1 January 2016 }}</ref> To produce more athletes and to improve and raise the standard of sports in the state after Sabah became part of Malaysia, the Sabah State Sports Council was established in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msn.sabah.gov.my/sejarah |title=Sejarah |trans-title=History |language=ms |publisher=Sabah State Sports Council |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901084659/http://www.msn.sabah.gov.my/sejarah |archive-date=1 September 2016 }}</ref> In addition, the Sabah Sports and Cultural Board Sports was created on 1 September 1976 before being frozen in December 1978 for more than two years until 1 January 1981 due to specific reasons.<ref name="sabah sports board">{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/en/background-features.php |title=Background |publisher=Sabah Sports Board |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901111236/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/en/background-features.php |archive-date=1 September 2016 }}</ref> On 31 December 1996, the board been split into Sport Authority of Sabah and Sabah Cultural Board with a new board been established as the Sabah Sports Board that was maintained until present.<ref name="sabah sports board"/> Sabah became the host of [[SUKMA Games]] in [[2002 Sukma Games|2002]] and was crowned overall champions of the 2022 Para SUKMA Games.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tieng Hii|first1=Ting|title=Sarawak's reign as Para Sukma overall champions ends|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/11/06/sarawaks-reign-as-para-sukma-overall-champions-ends/|access-date=13 November 2022|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=6 November 2022}}</ref> The state also sending its teams to represent Malaysia at the [[Southeast Asian Games]]. Beside focusing to main sports, Sabah also features 11 traditional sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/sukan-tradisi-sabah.php |title=Sukan Tradisional Sabah |trans-title=Sabah Traditional Sports |language=ms |publisher=Sabah Sports Board |access-date=2 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902032300/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/sukan-tradisi-sabah.php |archive-date=2 September 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah LikasStadium-07.jpg|thumb|right|[[Likas Stadium]] which is the home stadium for [[Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)|Sabah F.C.]].]]
There are 12 sports complex within the state together with three main stadiums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/ |title=See → Kompleks Sukan |access-date=2 September 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023010817/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/ls/ }}</ref> [[Likas Stadium]] is the main stadium for the state football association of [[Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)|Sabah F.C.]], followed by Penampang Stadium and Tawau Stadium. Sabah F.C. (formerly Sabah FA) was founded in 1963 with the association have won one title each on the [[Malaysia FA Cup]] in 1995, [[Malaysia Premier League]] in [[Liga Perdana (1994–97)|1996]] and [[2019 Malaysia Premier League|2019]], [[President Cup Malaysia]] in 1999, 13 titles in the past [[Borneo Cup]] and 11 titles in the women's football [[Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19991202&id=Z_1OAAAAIBAJ&pg=4891,1623581 |title=Sarawak and Brunei throw in carrot |author=Vijesh Rai |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=2 December 1999 |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/borneocup.html |title=Borneo Cup |author1=Frank Rankmore |author2=Neil Morrison |work=The Straits Times, New Straits Times and Borneo Bulletin |publisher=RSSSF |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=2 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902055913/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/borneocup.html |archive-date=2 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The association was returned to private sector in early 1996, which had long under the purview of the state government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19960305&id=9P1OAAAAIBAJ&pg=2332,2133551 |title=Sabah FA turn to private sector |author=Joniston Bangkuai |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=5 March 1996 |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> But following the argument between the association and Sabah Sports Board, Sabah FA was suspended by the state sports council on 15 January 1998 and the management was put under the [[Ministry of Youth and Sports (Malaysia)|national sport ministry]].<ref name="suspension">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19980115&id=TfxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3193,5419141 |title=State sports council suspends Sabah FA |author=Joniston Bangkuai |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=15 January 1998 |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> The move was seen as breaching [[FIFA]] rules that stated there should be no government interference on football organisations.<ref name="suspension"/> The persistent problems plaguing the Sabah FA since 1980s have significantly deteriorating the team performances and demoralising players in addition to the scandals that have embroiling the Malaysian football in 1994.<ref>{{*}} {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19840817&id=6ckpAAAAIBAJ&pg=6303,3990875 |title=Sabah FA sack their secretary |author=Colin Forsythe |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=17 August 1984 |access-date=2 September 2016}}<br />{{*}} {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19910404&id=EMFUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6503,1395017 |title=No end to Sabah FA's woes |author=Joniston Bangkuai |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=4 April 1991 |access-date=2 September 2016}}<br />{{*}} {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19950719&id=5npaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6670,4562616 |title=Sabah CM: Settle it out of court |author=James Ritchie |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=19 July 1995 |access-date=2 September 2016}}<br />{{*}} {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19950902&id=nnpaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6511,567604 |title=Bookies resurface in Sabah |author=Joniston Bangkuai |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=2 September 1995 |access-date=2 September 2016}}<br />{{*}} {{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2518&dat=20080428&id=ok1aAAAAIBAJ&pg=3014,15429820 |title=Legalize football betting in Malaysia, says top coach |work=Agence-France Presse |publisher=[[The Manila Times]] |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> In 2019, both Sabah and Sarawak Sports Ministries work together to establish the East Malaysia Sports Commission to facilitate the organisation of more sports programmes in the two territories including other places in the Borneo islands.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/09/05/sabah-swak-sports-ministries-to-work-together-to-create-east-malaysia-sports-commission/|title=Sabah, S'wak Sports Ministries to work together to create East Malaysia Sports Commission|author=Matthew Umpang|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=5 September 2019|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> With the increase of youth interests on [[e-sports]], Sabah government also targeting to develop the sports as part of the tourism development in the state.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/132850/esports-will-be-next-big-thing-in-tourism-liew/|title=Esports will be next big thing in tourism: Liew|author=Leonard Alaza|newspaper=Daily Express|date=24 March 2019|access-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030060348/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/132850/esports-will-be-next-big-thing-in-tourism-liew/|archive-date=30 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post-sabah/20190923/281659666759265|title=E-Sport debuts in Sabah|newspaper=The Borneo Post|via=PressReader|date=23 September 2019|access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bhplus.com.my/berita/wilayah/2019/10/617208/peruntukan-bantu-tingkatkan-pembangunan-sukan-di-sabah|title=Peruntukan bantu tingkatkan pembangunan sukan di Sabah|trans-title=Allocation to help improve sports development in Sabah|author=Rafiqah Dahali|language=ms|newspaper=Berita Harian|date=13 October 2019|access-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030060348/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/132850/esports-will-be-next-big-thing-in-tourism-liew/|archive-date=30 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/141952/convert-them-to-e-sports-centres-call/|title='Convert them to e-sports centres' call|author=David Thien|newspaper=Daily Express|date=21 October 2019|access-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030060657/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/141952/convert-them-to-e-sports-centres-call/|archive-date=30 October 2019}}</ref>