The History of Tawau
The town of Tawau in Sabah, Malaysia, owes its growth to European traders, who transformed it from a small village to a large town, home to more than 350,000 people, in little more than a century. In colonial times, the Sabah area was known as North Borneo.
Other People Are Reading
-
1890s
-
In the 1890s, Tawau, or Tawao as it was known then, was a small settlement of around 200 people who traded with Dutch merchants. In 1893, the British-owned ship "Normanhurst" arrived, offering to trade commodities such as Indian rubber and ivory for local products, including raisins and birds' nests.
British North Borneo Company
-
The British North Borneo Company administered the area on behalf of the British Empire and gradually built up trade and local government in the early 20th century. Two very large plantations also were established--one British, one Japanese-owned--to produce coconuts, rubber and hemp for export.
-
Prosperity
-
Tawau became more prosperous in the 1930s due to its strong agricultural background. At this time, the town had more than 60 shops, alongside several churches and schools.
World War II
-
The Sabah region suffered greatly during World War II. Tawau was invaded by Japanese forces in January 1942 and remained under occupation until Australian troops liberated the area in June 1945. Many residents died during the occupation.
Post-War and Independence
-
After the war, the British North Borneo Company was unable to rebuild the community and North Borneo became a British Crown Colony. Sabah gained its independence from the British Empire, as part of the new Federation of Malaysia, in 1963.
Today
-
Tawau now is an important regional hub for both transport and commerce, although the surrounding area continues to be made up of plantations and smallholdings growing crops such palm oil, rubber and cocoa.
-
References
- Photo Credit coconut image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
More Like This
Comments
-
Tawau again~
