The population of Sabah was 2,449,389 in the year 2000 (Housing Census of Malaysia, 2000), of which is divided into 32 officially recognized ethnic groups. The largest non-indigenous ethnic group is the Chinese, who make up for about 20% of Sabah's population. The largest indigenous ethnic group is the Kadazan-Dusun (roughly 25% of the total population); followed by the Bajau (15%), and the Murut (3%).
Malay is the national language spoken across ethnicities, although the spoken Sabahan dialect of Malay differs much in inflection and intonation from the West Malaysian version, having more similarity in pronunciation to Indonesian. English, Chinese Mandarin as well as the Chinese dialects of Hakka and Cantonese are widely understood. In addition, Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut and other minor races also have distinct ethnic languages.
Dusun-Kadazan people are known as the Latin lovers of the East, famous in the state for love and passion for music. Their traditional dances appear erotic yet innocent making the Dusun-Kadazan culture a popular one.
Even though Dusun-Kadazans are known for their peaceful nature, they are also well known for their bravery and defiant nature towards oppression and foreign rule. Monsopiad the legendary warrior who lived in the 1700's-1800's took 48 heads in the heat of battle before being overwhelmed. During World War 2, the British and Australian armies liberated North Borneo from the Japanese and released 280 Japanese POW's knowing that the vengeful natives would not show mercy. Those POW's skulls line the roof of Dusun-Kadazan 'skull houses'.[citation needed]
The federal government of Malaysia officially recognizes 28 ethnic groups as being "indigenous" or bumiputra in Sabah:
Kadazan-Dusun
Malay
Kwijau
Murut
Bajau
Illanun
Lotud
Rungus
Tambanuo
Dumpas
Mangka'ak
Suluk
Ilocano
Orang Sungai
Brunei
Kedayan
Tagalog
Bisaya
Tidong
Indonesian
Maragang
Orang Cocos
Paitan
Ida'an
Minokok
Rumanau
Serani
Chinese of mixed bumiputra parentage
Filipino of mixed bumiptra parentage
Sarawak indigeneous groups