| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 20,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (East Kalimantan):12,000[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Berau Malay, Banjar, Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Dayak (Gaai), Kutai, Banjar |
The Berau people, also known as Banua[2] is an ethnic group that lives in Berau, in the north of East Kalimantan province, Indonesia.[3]
The Berau culture began with the former Berau Kingdom, a kingdom established by Baddit Dipattung or Aji Raden Surya Nata Kesuma and his wife, Baddit Kurindan or Aji Permaisuri, centered in Lati River, Gunung Tabur in 14th Century. They united traditional Berau villages called Banua, such as Banua Merancang, Banua Pantai, Banua Kuran, Banua Rantau Buyut and Banua Rantau Sewakung.[4][5] Exploiting internal divisions, VOC successfully split the kingdom to two, Sambaliung Sultanate and Gunung Tabur Sultanate. Islam arrived around the same time in 17th century brought by the figure Imam Sambuayan.[4]
They speak Berau Malay language, locally called Berau or Banua language,[2] which is one of the three native Malayic languages in southeastern Borneo, closely related to Banjar and Kutai.
- ^ "Berau in Indonesia".
- ^ a b Afrianto, A.; Mursalim, M.; Rijal, Syamsul (2018). "Asal-usul nama Pulau Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban, dan Sangalaki di Kabupaten Berau Kalimantan Timur" (PDF). Ilmu Budaya. 2 (2): 129–137. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ K. Alexander Adelaar & Nikolaus Himmelmann (2005). The Austronesian Languages of Asia and Madagascar. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780700712861.
- ^ a b "Badan Kesatuan Bangsa Politik dan Linmas Kabupaten Berau". Badan Kesatuan Bangsa Politik dan Linmas Kabupaten Berau. 15 April 1951. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Krystof Obidzinski & Christopher M. Barr (2003). The Effects of Decentralization on Forests and Forest Industries in Berau District, East Kalimantan. CIFOR. ISBN 97-987-6486-2.