Sarawak: Land of the hornbills
Sarawak's history includes a century of rule by the Brooke family, known as the "White Rajahs", layered over deep indigenous traditions that predate it by centuries.
Begin with the history
Historical overview
Long before European contact, Sarawak's river systems supported established trading networks and indigenous communities with their own political structures. In 1841, the region came under the personal rule of James Brooke, beginning a century of dynastic governance by the Brooke family from 1841 to 1946. Sarawak later came under British colonial administration following the Second World War, before joining the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
The people of Sarawak
Sarawak is home to a striking diversity of indigenous groups, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu communities, and others, alongside Chinese and Malay communities shaped by generations of trade and settlement. Sarawak's indigenous population makes up the majority of the state, giving its culture a distinctly indigenous character.
Culture, tradition, and heritage
Longhouse living remains a defining feature of Sarawak's indigenous communities, alongside distinct customs, festivals such as Gawai Dayak, traditional weaving, and oral storytelling traditions that continue to carry historical memory forward.
Places and landmarks
From Brooke-era forts and administrative buildings in Kuching to longhouses along the Rejang and Baram rivers, Sarawak's landscape holds physical markers of both its colonial and indigenous history.
Stories from Sarawak
People · Places · Cultures
Events · Records · Time
Syarif Abu Bakar Masyhor Bin Abu Bakar Sakran - Pahlawan Brunei / Sarawak / Selangor
MENGENANG SYARIF MASAHOR PAHLAWAN SARAWAK
Read the story For paid membersAsal Usul Melanau
ASAL USUL MELANAU Bagi sebahagian besar penduduk negeri Sarawak, ‘Melanau’ adalah satu bangsa yang sama seperti bangsa Iban, Melayu, Cina dan sebagainya. Ramai yang tidak mengetahui asal-usul
Read the story For paid membersTHE LEGEND OF PUTERI SANTUBONG
THE LEGEND OF PUTERI SANTUBONG Gunung Santubong is very well known in Sarawak. Most Sarawakians would have heard stories about Mt. Santubong from their parents, grandparents or
Read the story For paid membersLATAR BELAKANG DAN SEJARAH RINGKAS KOMUNITI KAYAN
LATAR BELAKANG DAN SEJARAH RINGKAS KOMUNITI KAYAN Sejarah Ringkas Komuniti Kayan di Sarawak secara umumnya dapat dibahagikan kepada tiga kumpulan yang utama, iaitu Kayan Baram yang mendiami
Read the story For paid membersPENGIRAN SURA NEGARA PENGIRAN ANAK BADARUDDIN IBNI SULTAN MUHAMMAD KANZUL ALAM
PENGIRAN SURA NEGARA PENGIRAN ANAK BADARUDDIN IBNI SULTAN MUHAMMAD KANZUL ALAM Pengiran Badaruddin atau dengan nama sebenarnya Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Badaruddin ibni Sultan Muhammad Kanzul
Read the story For paid membersKerajaan Kuno Sarawak Yang Hilang.
Kerajaan Kuno Sarawak Yang Hilang. Inilah artikel yang akan menjadi ruang informasi sejarah untuk kita sebagai Bangsa Sarawak mengetahuinya. Untuk pengetahuan, kami di Borneo Oracle pernah membuat
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Perang Siniawan 1840
Suatu waktu dahulu yang dikenali sebagai Sarawak hanyalah mempunyai garis sempadan dari Tanjung Datu sehingga ke Samarahan sahaja atau boleh dikatakan ianya merupakan garis sempadan ibukota Kuching
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SEJARAH PENENTANGAN KE ATAS PENTADBIRAN BROOKE DI SARAWAK (1841-1930AN)
Sejarah Penentangan ke atas Pentadbiran Brooke di Sarawak (1841-1930AN) Bukan mudah untuk membina sebuah Negara…. Itulah kata-kata yang sering kita dengar apabila kita memulakan bicara tentang sebuah
Read the story For paid membersLegenda Upai Semaring
UPAI SEMARING Sekitar seribu tahun yang lalu, nama Upai Semaring sangat terkenal dan telah diakui oleh masyarakat Lundayeh etnik sebagai seorang askar dan pahlawan. Memiliki kemampuan luar
Read the story For paid membersSejarah Perluasan Empayar Sarawak Di Bawah Brooke
Umum mengetahui bahawa wilayah Sarawak suatu waktu dahulu merupakan tanah kuripan kepada Kerajaan Kesultanan Brunei Darussalam berabad lamanya. Dan sejarah Sarawak mula berubah apabila satu demi persatu
Read the story For paid membersBorneopedia’s regional entries are in development. The link introduces the knowledge project; a searchable collection is not yet available.