Cocos of Sabah

The Orang Cocos are originally from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands who settled this area in the 1950s. Along with them they brought their unique blend of scottish and malay desent.

The Orang Cocos of Sabah are mostly living in Lahad Datu, Kunak, Sandakan and in Tawau.

Orang Cocos now has a population of 4,000 in Sabah. (About 10 times larger than the population remaining in the Cocos Islands themselves) and with a home village of Kampung Cocos near Lahad Datu in Tawau Division in Sabah.

Their ancestors in Cocos Island worked in coconut plantations owned by the English. These early Cocoa Malay families shown a remarkable flair for adaptation. Elements of the English-Scottish traditions were absorbed into Cocos Malay cultural practices. Certain foods, dances and musical influences have a western flavour.