Banua, The Infamous Melayu Language

Melayu is one of the largest ethnic groups in Borneo, with the majority residing in East and North Borneo, while some live in other parts of the island and beyond. Borneo is known for its diverse accents, including the Borneo accent (East Malaysia), the Semenanjung accent (West Malaysia), the Brunei accent (Brunei Darussalam), and more. Among these, one of the lesser-known but intriguing accents is the Banua accent. The Banua accent is often overlooked, even by many Indonesians who are unaware of its existence. Unlike other Melayu accents, such as those in Semenanjung and Borneo, the Banua accent bears a striking resemblance to the Brunei accent. The two share many common words and expressions. For example, both Banua and Brunei use the word "awu" to mean "yes." Despite these similarities in vocabulary, the two accents differ significantly in tone. While Brunei’s Melayu accent maintains its distinct oral intonation, Banua has its own unique tone. Sadly, the Banua ac...