The Plantation - Di Morrissey [80]
‘Sadly, it seems too late for us, the power of money is too strong. And many people think the change for the modern world sounds good. An easier life. I feel sad at the loss of the jungle – for the creatures. And for us. It holds many secrets we are yet to learn.’
‘Like medicines?’
‘For one, yes.’ Charles began to walk back along the verandah in the darkness.
Julie walked beside him. ‘And what about your grandfather’s faith in the spirits and gods? Will that be any help?’
‘Who knows? We believe in summum bonum – good fortune, a sign of favour from the gods. Tuai Rumah Jimbun hopes we will be blessed with luck and I hope for as long as he lives he has that hope. For me, I know that the Iban will have to adjust to changing times.’ He paused. ‘But we try to keep the traditions alive, no matter where our longhouse may be.’
‘That’s good,’ said Julie softly.
She was thoughtful. ‘I had an aunt, my grandmother’s sister, who lived in Malaysia after the war. She was married to a Chinese man, which is why she was ostracised by the rest of the family. But she spent time among Iban people, I’m not sure where abouts in Sarawak, and she wrote a book about it. That’s the reason I came here.’
‘What did she tell you?’ Charles was interested.
‘I never met her. David found the book she wrote during his research. It was the first our family knew about my great aunt’s adventure.’
‘A lady adventurer! There have been many white ladies coming to Borneo to do extraordinary things. Sometimes for themselves as much as for the people and the jungle animals,’ said Charles. ‘Maybe my father or grandfather has heard of your relative.’
‘She wrote the book in the early seventies,’ said Julie. ‘Do you think Tuai James, your father, might know anything?’
‘I shall ask him in the morning. For now the dancing is starting. Come and see how the hornbill comes to life,’ said Charles cheerfully as they went back into the ruai.
Julie was taken aback by the escalation in the festivities. Two of the men had donned elaborate feather headdresses and were dancing to the beat of drums and gongs, their arms mimicking the horned beak and the swaying of a large bird. Julie was instantly reminded of seeing films of Aboriginal corroborees where the dancers perfectly mimicked the kangaroo or emu.
Some of the girls were pulling the visitors up to dance, and Matthew and David, both very merry now, staggered about in an attempt to follow the lithe male dancers. Barry refused to join them, but lifted his camera to capture the action. Julie just felt exhausted from the very long day and wanted to go to sleep.
Charles sat back down by his elders but was swiftly pulled to his feet by one of the pretty young women. The women didn’t dance but clapped their hands, laughed and cajoled the men to get into the spirit of things.
While David and Matthew were making what Julie thought was something of a spectacle of themselves as they stumbled and swayed about, everyone seemed happy and they were enjoying themselves.
Chitra tapped her on the shoulder. ‘If you want to go to sleep that’ll be okay. Where did Indai Tuai, the old lady, put your things?’
‘She put me over there. I’ll just sneak away. See you in the morning.’
By her torchlight Julie saw that there were two teenage girls sound asleep on mats on the floor and her bag was sitting in a corner near a mat that was covered with a blanket. In the darkness she undressed, wrapped herself in a sarong and lay down, pulling up the blanket as the night was surprisingly cool.
The music continued, but the shaking and movement of the floor subsided as the dancing tapered off and a chanting, sing-song began in its place.
Julie wasn’t sure if she’d slept or not but she was aware of shuffling as someone else came into the bilek. She rolled on her side and stifled a gasp as a hand touched her shoulder.
‘Hey Julie … You awake? Come on, you wanna dance?’
‘David,