Sabah's Name

• The origin of the name 'Sabah' is believed to come from a type of banana called 'pisang Saba' or 'jaba' by the locals.
• This banana is a popular food source and is grown along the west coast of Sabah.
• The name 'Sabah' was first used by traders in the 15th century who traveled between North Borneo and the Sulu Islands in the southern Philippines.
• The name 'Sabah' was used before the arrival of the North Borneo Chartered Company and the British.
• In a 1604 Portuguese map of Melaka, Kota Kinabalu was referred to as 'Api-Api'.
• After the North Borneo Chartered Company took over Sabah, the name was changed to 'North Borneo' in 1881.
• The name 'Sabah' was reinstated in 1963 during the formation of Malaysia.
• The Javanese poem Nagarakertagama from 1365 refers to Sabah as 'Seludang'.
• Marco Polo referred to Sabah as 'BURNI' during his visit to Borneo.
• The name 'Sabah' has a long history and has been used by various groups over time.

Discover the fascinating history of Sabah's name in this quiz! Test your knowledge and learn interesting facts about the origins of Sabah's name, from the type of banana it's believed to be named after to the different names it has been referred to throughout history. Put your history skills to the test and uncover the secrets behind one of Malaysia's most beloved states.