Lemuria by Burt Clinchandhill (epub e ink reader TXT) 📕

over one thousand years, they lived on the mountain without any change in their ways. It wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that the Dutch occupier first tried to make contact. It was the Dutch who gave them their name, Baduy. From the Dutch word for Bedouin, Bedoeïen. It’s believed they call themselves Urang Kanekes, Urang the word for people, and Kanekes for the area where they live.”

“Like in Urang Utan,” Ignatowski remarked.

“Indeed,” Kadek confirmed. “People of the Utan. You’ve heard about the inner and outer Baduy?” Kadek asked.

“We heard about the difference, yes,” Ignatowski answered. “We were told that you were the person to talk to and who could take us there and help us talk to them.”

“Oh, I can take you there, and even talk to them for you. To the outer Baduy, that is. I can also show you to the edge of inner Baduy territory, but should you decide to go in, you’re on your own. That’s bad juju.”

“Bad juju?” Bishop asked.

“The Baduy religion is animistic, based on a system of taboos. They believe spirits inhabit the trees, the streams, rocks, and all other kinds of other inanimate objects. It’s thought that the spirits do good or evil, depending on how you stay away from the taboos. Their lives are governed by more than one thousand taboos, controlling every aspect of their lives and daily business.”

“What kind of taboos are we talking about?” Ignatowski asked.

“Things like what they can and cannot possess, how to grow crops, keep a herd and even how the layout of a rice field should look. Controlling and governing daily business is done by the priest-kings, the Pu’un, and if they don’t like what they see, they practice the Santet susuk konde.”

“Stanted, susksuk....” Ignatowski tried to repeat.

“Santet susuk konde, a mystic ritual, a, uh.... voodoo, and in its most extreme way they can perform a type of black magic called the Kesetanan, the calling of satanic powers. Believe me. You don’t want to go there and be judged by their taboos.” Kadek shook his head profoundly.

“That certainly applies to you,” Bishop said to Ignatowski, laughing.

“Make no mistake,” Kadek implored. “Many have tried, and only a few succeeded. Of those, most of them got very ill or worse.”

“I believe you,” Lindsey said. “And you say they never leave their territory or invite anyone in?”

“Never. They are not allowed to leave the village, let alone stay the night outside their territory, nor communicate with outsiders. They are completely self-sufficient. They make their own clothes and tools, and grow all their food by themselves. Everything is done by hand because electric machines are taboo, and they reject anything made outside of their territory, even by the outer Baduy. There’s even a strict limit to their population growth. The family that exceeds that limit is expelled from the territory, and sent outside. That’s how we know so much about them. You can get out, but you can never get back in.”

“Then how will we find them?” Bishop asked.

“The road to their territory is well known, but no one dares to travel it. First, we can see if your friend is recognized by members of the outer Baduy. Then, if you still want to, I can drop you off at the outskirts of the inner Baduy territory.”

“And how will we know we found them?” Bishop asked.

“Stay on the path or, rather, in the bushes next to the path, so you won’t be seen, and you’ll know when you’ve arrived. The Baduy have about fifty families, and they are all dressed in a white shirt, called a sangsang and a white headband, the telekun.”

“But first,” Kadek said, rising from the table. “Let me take you to your rooms. Tonight, we’ll have a good meal, and tomorrow we journey to the land of the Kanekes after a good night’s sleep.”

“How will we travel there?” Lindsey asked.

Bishop smiled. “You’re hoping it’s not the Beetle again.”

“You’re in luck.” Kadek sounded proud. “We’ve just acquired three brand-new dirt bikes. So, you all can ride a bike, I trust?”

“Um, yes.”

“Well, it’s been a while....”

“Sure....”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Kadek gave a broad smile. “Follow me.”

“And our driver?” Lindsey asked as they walked into the building.

“He’ll be fine. He is well taken care of. He’ll be here for you when you return.”

***

A white glow rose over the tea fields as the first rays of sunlight vaporized the morning dew. In front of the main building, the driver was tinkering with the Beetle’s engine when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. “You have three new messages,” the screen read.

NSF here. Where are you?

~~~

Please respond?

~~~

Got word that you’re driving east. Please inform.

He sighed before answering.

We’re at the....

~~~

From here, they’ll take a trip to the Baduy, mountain people.

~~~

Will let you know when we leave here.

He put his phone away as he heard a voice behind him.

“Morning.” Lindsey walked by, returning from an early morning stroll. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Yes. Thank you, ma’am. It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.” She disappeared inside the building.

“Morning. Did you sleep well?” Bishop asked Lindsey.

“I did, and you two?”

Both Bishop and Ignatowski confirmed that they did as well.

“Juice?” Ignatowski asked.

“Please.” Lindsey sat down.

“So, tell us about that paper you wrote on evolution,” Ignatowski said to Bishop.

“You read it?” Bishop asked.

“I didn’t, but Lin did and told me about it. I understand you wanted to find scientific, mathematical proof that evolution actually happened.”

“I wrote about two things. First, I looked for mathematical proof. I wanted to prove that there was a mathematical probability explaining the mutation of a single protein polypeptide chain or an amino acid to create a genetic and biological foundation for the diversity of life we have today. Given that Earth is about four point five four billion years old, it would take over a quintillion of calculations.”

“And did you find proof?” Ignatowski asked.

“I guess Lindsey told you the answer already.” Bishop gave a tiny smile. “This was over ten years ago, you know,