A Brother on the Other Side of the World

by Arya Diorenzo Pasaribu (Indonesia)

I didn't expect to find Indonesia

Tense and slightly scary atmosphere accompanied me when I was in the village of Damang Batu, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Tall dense leafy forest trees and the cold night adds even more thrilling feel. Electricity that has not yet reached the village is making the village even more scary. The village is inhabited by Dayak tribe and most of them still believe in mystical things and old traditions are still held by them. Dayak people are widely known in Indonesia, especially on the island of Kalimantan with one of the most sadistic ritual practices, 'Kayau' - the tradition of hunting human heads for traditional ceremonies. This creepy ritual has been banned after an agreement was made to abandon the practice of Kayau. However, some of these Kayau practices still occur even in the modern era of the twenty-first century. This case occurred not because of traditional ceremonies, but because of a bloody battle between the Dayak tribes and migrant tribes where many victims died with their heads cut off and lying on the streets. In the morning I was approached by an adult man with scary face. He only wore trousers that were worn out and without wearing footwear. In the village, Indonesian is still quite understandable even though Dayak language is the dominant language. So I can still communicate with him. He asked me where I came from and then persuaded me to come with him to a place. I dare myself to follow him even though I was actually scared and very nervous. Mori - the man's name - said that he was one of the people affected by inter-tribal violence and had felt the loss of his beloved family who had been tragically killed in the conflict. He had seen inhuman deeds where blood flowed and heads scattered in the streets of his village. He told of his sad experiences along the way and then stopped when we arrived at a traditional Dayak building. He asked, "Do you know this thing?" While showing weapons that resemble Mandau - a typical weapon of the Dayak tribe. "This weapon was used by me and my family during conflicts between tribes. Some enemy heads have been decapitated with this weapon." His words made me immediately scared again because the weapons that had killed people were in front of my eyes and made me worry that I would become the next victim. But he asked me not to be afraid that he would hurt me and lead me to enter Huma Betang - a traditional Dayak building made of ironwood and resembling a stilt house. From near a window he said, "In this place I saw my brother and father killed." Then he took the Mandau from its scabbard. "I have prepared this Mandau to help them fight the enemy. But I was late. I became angry and lost control and then killed the enemies that came to me." He put the Mandau in the scabbard and gave it to me. "Maybe you see this weapon as a tool to kill or destroy. But actually this weapon is a symbol of brotherhood. The carvings and motifs on this Mandau are the embodiment of unity in the differences that exist in the Dayak tribe." Mori then said that the Huma Betang would always remind him of the bloody conflict that had occurred in his village. "I will always invite new migrants from other tribes to this place to show that this village has forgotten the cruel conflict and ready to increase the feeling of brotherhood to everyone." I didn't expect he would treat me like that, considering that the settlers had killed his family. Likewise, the sense of brotherhood shown by Mori was one of the most valuable things in my life. I also learned valuable lessons about tolerance and a sense of brotherhood in the midst of diversity and finally I understood the importance of sincerity over a heartbreaking history. This is like a meaningful gift from Mori for me so that I always remember that kindness and forgiveness are the best solutions in every fight and problem of life.