Sandokan: The "Hero of Marudu" in Italian Literature
A Tale of Two Rebels: The Real and Imagined Heroes of Marudu
What do a fictional pirate from 19th-century Italian novels and a real Bornean leader from Marudu have in common?
In this engaging talk, Dr. Gerlich explores the fascinating parallels between Sandokan, the "Tiger of Malaya" created by Italian author Emilio Salgari (1862-1911), and Syarif Osman, a historical figure who ruled Marudu in northern Borneo and resisted British expansion in the 1840s.
In Salgari's novels, Sandokan is a freedom fighter whose kingdom was stolen by the British. Though he is a fictional character, he was inspired by real figures like Syarif Osman. Ultimately, British forces destroyed Marudu in 1845, crushing his resistance, an event that still sparks debate among historians today.
Through literature, history, and local memory, this talk reveals how Sabah's past resonates in unexpected places, even in 19th-century Italian adventure novels.
It's a thoughtful presentation on how a place like Marudu became part of real and imagined histories.
If you'd like to learn more about Sandokan, an international TV series inspired by Salgari's famous pirate is currently in production: Sandokan (2025). Can Yaman will play the lead role. The legend of Sandokan continues to evolve, moving from 19th-century novels to 21st-century screens.
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About the Sabah Society
The Sabah Society is a non-governmental/non-profit organisation founded in 1960 by a group of enthusiasts who wished to record and preserve interesting and important aspects of Sabah's history, culture and natural history.
How to get to this event?
The Sabah Society
No. 46, Lot 34, 1st Floor, Damai Plaza Phase 4, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.