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]
^Krystof Obidzinski & Christopher M. Barr (2003). The Effects of Decentralization on Forests and Forest Industries in Berau District, East Kalimantan. CIFOR. ISBN97-987-6486-2.