Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
Considering Borneo's relatively remote location, it comes as no surprise that the island has
rarely served as a major commercial or cultural crossroads. But neither has it been isolated
from Asia's trade routes and religious currents. India and China have influenced and in-
spired Borneo's peoples for some 2000 years, and since the 15th century the island has
been a meeting point of Islam and Christianity. For several centuries, Borneo was buffeted
by the epic rivalries between Dayak tribes and among the European powers.
Borneo Becomes an Island
Borneo was connected to mainland Southeast Asia - as part of a land mass known as
Sundaland - from 2.5 million years ago until some 10,000 years ago, when global deglaci-
ation turned it back into an island. Archaeological evidence suggests that human beings ar-
rived in Sarawak - overland - at least 40,000 years ago. More migrants arrived about 3000
years ago, probably from southern China, mixing with earlier inhabitants to form some of
Borneo's indigenous groups.
Traders from India and China began stopping
by Borneo - as a sideshow to their bilateral
commerce - around the 1st century AD, intro-
ducing Hinduism and Buddhism. From about
AD 500, Chinese traders started settling along
Borneo's coasts. It is believed that the influence
of the Sumatra-based kingdom of Srivijaya (7th to 13th centuries) extended to Borneo.
During this time, Brunei emerged as a centre for trade with China; some historians believe
that the first Muslims to visit Borneo came from China in the 10th century.
Archaeological finds in western Borneo include
glass beads made in the Roman Empire.
The Arrival of Islam & the European Powers
Islam was brought to present-day Peninsular Malaysia, including Melaka, by traders from
South India in the early 15th century. Over time, diplomacy, often cemented by marriage,
oriented Borneo's coastal sultanates towards Melaka and Islam.
 
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