Kanowit, Sarawak

Kanowit (GPS: 2.10122, 112.15329) is a small town in the Sibu Division of Sarawak. The town is located at the confluence of the Kanowit River with the Rajang River. As well as being the district centre for the Kanowit District, it is a stopover for river traffic going from Sibu to Song and further up the Rajang. Kanowit is about 174 km from the coast, and about an hour by boat from Sibu. The people here are mostly Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh and Melanau.

Kanowit has been established as early as the mid 19th century. We do know that Rajah James Brooke built a fort here, called Fort Emma, in 1859. It was named after Emma Brooke, the niece of James Brooke and sister of the future Charles Brooke, who was then heir apparent, or Tuan Muda. The fort is still standing, although not open to the public. It is in a state of neglect and in need of conservation, but is still quite impressive.

Fort Emma was erected to suppress any further uprising against Brooke rule. That year, a number of Malay chieftains led by Syarif Masahor of Mukah, with the support of the Sultan of Brunei, had staged a plot to liquidate all white men in Sarawak. In June of that year, Brooke's officials Charles Fox and Henry Steele were murdered. Charles Brooke successfully led a band of Iban warriors to avenge the attack, driving Sharif Masahor into exile in Johor, and leading to the annexation of Mukah from Brunei.

Today Kanowit wears the appearance of a town little changed from the early 20th century. There are three streets lined with shophouses owned mostly by Chinese traders. There is a waterfront, a couple of primary schools, and a supermarket serving the needs of the locals.

Kanowit is on the map of Towns in Sarawak

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