As the Tausug Sultanate of Sulu grew in power, the Yakans withdrew inland, until most of the coastal communities along the island's southern, western and northwestern shores were primarily inhabited by Tausugs and their vassal tribes, the Samals and Bajaus (Tau-Laut).
Basilan first came to European attention when it was documented by the remnants of the Ferdinand Magellan expedition in 1521.