The Idaüan (Idahan or Eraan or Sabahan) people are an ethnic group residing primarily in the Lahad Datu and Tawau districts on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia. Their current population is estimated to be around 6,000 (1987 estimate), but it appears that they once inhabited a much larger area along the east Sabah coast than present. For centuries, the IdaâÂÂan have owned exclusive rights to the collection of edible bird's nests in the limestone caves of the region, notably the Madai Caves. Most Idaüan are Sunni Muslims.
Historically, the Idaüan are known by several names such as Era'an, Saba'an/Sabahan (not to be confused with Sabahan which refers to the residents of Sabah), Iraqan and Buludupi. But according to local folk story, the Idaüan were originally known as Bedaro but they later changed the name to Idaüan after converting to Islam.
The ancestors of Idaüan people lived around Madai caves for centuries and have a significant role in cultural identity of Idaüan people. According to Idaüan mythology and Sabahan activist and writer Mutalib M.D from his writings called Hikayat Raja Sabah, the Idaüan used to have a kingdom called Bu-lud Temil which was founded by a man named Aki Apoi. The Kingdom of Bu-lud Temil was said to cover a vast areas of land spreading from Kinabatangan river to the shores of Semporna and Gua Madai was its capital.
The Idaüan converted to Islam in the early 15th century after its king by the name of Raja Abdullah converted to Islam and introduced Islam to his kingdom. However some groups of Idaüan maintained their own beliefs and migrated inland, becoming the ancestors of Begak (Bagahak) and Subpan people.
The most well-known Idaüan cuisine is the Alau. Alau is a red durian (Durio graveolens) which has become a delicacy amongst the Idaüan people. In Malay it is called Durian Burung (Bird's Durian). Other traditional Idaüan cuisines are Temba' Pait, Temba' Kedaso, Pait Pelom, Sambal Gembuan, Tassam Badas Kayu, Tassam Buduk, Sekilo Kayu Kegut and Putti Bebbag.
There are two main Idaüan festivals which were celebrated by Idaüan every year that is Pesta Mengalap which is a Bird's Nest Harvesting Festival held in Gua Madai and Pesta Salag which is a festival celebrating Idaüan culture and traditions.
Idaüan or Idahan is an Austronesian language belonging to the Northeastern Sabahan branch of North Bornean family. It is closely related to Bonggi language spoken in Banggi island. The languages spoken by Begak and Subpan people are considered as varieties of Idaüan language.
Unlike most languages in Sabah, Idaüan has a long literary history dating back as early as the 15th century. The earliest known Idaüan manuscript was from a man named Abdullah who lived in Lahad Datu Bay in 1408 AD and the manuscript is written in the Jawi alphabet.