05/15/2025
Malaysia 🇲🇾🗞️| : This International TV Series Apparently Tells the History of Borneo and Dayak Culture
Borneo Pirates' Story Against Colonialists Now a TV Series
An international TV series titled Sandokan will be aired soon and surprisingly, it actually tells a story set in Borneo, specifically Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.
Starring popular Turkish actor , is not just an ordinary pirate story. It is an adaptation of a classic Italian fiction novel, and reworked as an adventure epic loaded with elements of history, Dayak culture, and colonial conflicts that once occurred in our own homeland.
Sandokan: This International TV Series Apparently Tells the History of Borneo and Dayak Culture telling the story of a prince becoming a pirate for revange.
Sandokan tells the story of a Borneo prince whose life was destroyed when his family was killed by colonialists. Due to betrayal and oppression, he turned into a pirate, the leader of the "Harimau Mompracem" group who rose up against colonial power.
This story is adapted from the novel “Le Tigri di Mompracem” (The Tiger of Mompracem) by the famous Italian writer, Emilio Salgari, who is famous for his exotic adventures in the Far East. Although fictional, the setting and conflict are based on the historical reality of Borneo.
Main Antagonist: Sir James Brooke, White Rajah of Sarawak
The main antagonist in this series is Sir James Brooke, a real historical figure from England who became the first White Rajah of Sarawak around the 1840s. In this series, Brooke is portrayed as a colonizer who clashes with Sandokan in an attempt to control the Borneo region.
The combination of fiction and history makes this narrative more complex, depicting the clash between the local spirit of independence and Western colonial interests.
Dayak Culture and Local Heritage Featured
In addition to political action and conflict, Sandokan also highlights the Dayak community, depicting their courage, customs, and lifestyle in a 19th century setting. It pays tribute to the richness of Borneo’s culture, which is often underrepresented in global narratives.
Although set in Borneo, the series was filmed in Italy, with sets designed to evoke the tropical feel of Southeast Asia. It is expected to premiere later this year, produced by international company Fremantle.
iloveborneo.my/sandokan-siri-…