Basilan is home to three main ethnolinguistic groups: the indigenous Yakans, the Tausugs, and the Chavacanos. The Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslim, while the Chavacano are mainly Christian. Several smaller ethnic groups also reside in the province. Although Filipino and English are official languages, Yakan is the main native tongue, and Chavacano serves as the lingua franca. Other languages include Tausug, Cebuano, and Sama. Basilan is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

History

Antonio Pigafetta of the Magellan Expedition recorded Basilan as 'Taghima', later spelled in European maps as 'Tanguima', 'Taglima', 'Tagimar', 'Tagema', and 'Tagyto'. The name 'Basilan' first appeared in Jesuit historian Fr. Colin’s writings. Oral Yakan traditions mention early names such as 'Uleyan' and 'Matangal', derived from mountains that served as navigation landmarks for Maguindanao traders when sailing the Celebes Sea.