Indonesian Gold (16 page)

All of the female students were in their early to mid-twenties, an age at which most Indonesian girls would expect to be already married, with families.

‘Why don't you ask him for a date?'
Nani challenged, sending a titter through the group.

‘Why not?'
the well-endowed Siti responded, standing straight for the boys to see her firm breasts – another reason she was unpopular with the others. Even if Siti had not been loose the young men would still have chased after her, her classical Javanese features and voluptuous figure enough to guarantee envy amongst her classmates.

‘Students,'
their professor called for their attention, the assembly falling silent as the Dean cleared his throat.
‘We have been privileged to have Tuan Campbell talk to us today. He has kindly agreed to return and speak to those of you who are still here for the final semester.'
This was greeted with nervous giggles and coughs from the students.
‘However, our guest has kindly consented to remain a little longer today, to answer any questions you might have. So, please remain seated, and Tuan Campbell will invite you to direct your questions to him.'
The professor stepped back, gesturing with one hand that the floor still belonged to the visiting geologist.

‘Terima kasih,'
Campbell
thanked the Dean. Then, addressing the audience,
‘Please raise your hand if you wish to ask a question.'
The seconds ticked away as embarrassed university students searched inwardly for courage to do so, most concerned that they may appear foolish, the remainder unable to think of anything that was relevant to the earlier address.

‘Tuan Campbell!'
a solitary voice rang clearly through the hall. And, without recognition called out,
‘You said in your presentation that mining companies and local communities could both benefit through the exploitation of natural resources?'
Those around Angela Dau were stunned, turning to gawk at the Dayak student.

‘Yes,'
Campbell
agreed,
‘I did make that statement.'
He moderated his voice, then asked, not unkindly,
‘You don't agree?'
Again, all heads turned towards Angela.

‘No, Mister Campbell,'
she replied, her refusal to use the more respectful address not lost on all present. Up on the dais the professor frowned. Angela Dau was one of his finest students. However, her outspoken views around campus had attracted
Bakin's
attention, and the Dean was aware that Angela was under occasional surveillance by the intelligence agency. Angela continued,
‘If what you say is true,then why haven't we seen any examples of such benefits flowing to the indigenous peoples in Kalimantan?'
The room was stunned into silence; and, with the exception of the faint and nervous shuffling sounds, there was absolute quiet.

Stewart Campbell looked down at the pretty student, the fire in her heart reflected in her face and he nodded, slowly, while gathering his thoughts. He was on dangerous ground here, and anything he might say which could be construed as being anti-government could cost him dearly. Nevertheless, Stewart still felt a deep commitment towards the people whose traditional property had been taken, often without adequate compensation – left to become displaced people in their own land.
‘Miss?'
he asked, wondering if being pressed to give her name might make her reconsider her question,
‘may I have your name?'

‘My name is Angela Dau,'
she responded, confidently,
‘and I come from East Kalimantan. My people are Penehing Dayak.'
The pride in her voice instantly moving Campbell, understanding immediately why this student would consider some of the content of his address as provocative. With the surge of foreign investment in the mining sector, it was the indigenous peoples of Indonesian Borneo that had suffered the most.

He smiled kindly.
‘I can understand how emotive an issue this would be, for you, Miss Angela,'
he paused, searching for the appropriate words in
Bahasa Indonesia
.
‘But I'm certain you will appreciate that it is not my position to enter into political debate as a guest in your country.Your question should best be directed to the government representatives.'
Campbell was saddened that he was unable to engage this young woman in open discussion; to do so would be irresponsible, the consequences severe for both.

Angela Dau felt the heat rise around her neck, ignoring her friend Nani's warning tugs at her sleeve.

‘You can be confident, Mister Campbell,'
she said, her voice clear to all,
‘that I most surely will.'

The professor stepped forward quickly and addressed his students.
‘I ask that the students refrain from raising issues which are of a political nature.'
The message was clear, the Dean's interruption saving both Campbell and Angela from further embarrassment.
‘Now, are there any other questions?'

Students turned to look at each other, none now really inclined to speak up. Then, from a girl standing in the third row,
‘I have a question,'
she said, raising her hand confidently. All eyes turned to the student in surprise.

‘Yes, then,'
the Dean wanted this session ended,
‘what is it?'

‘I'd like to know if Tuan Campbell is married?'
she asked.

To everyone's relief, the student body broke into laughter, Siti Rahajo frowning at the catcalls, brazenly standing her ground. The professor was pleased with this distraction, bending over as if doubled in laughter, then reaching up to slap his guest on the shoulder. Campbell, too, could not resist a smile, addressing the seductive Siti directly.

‘Sudah kawin, tapi belum nikah,'
he answered, causing the students to roar in response, the play on words suggesting that he was sexually experienced, but remained unmarried, a delight to their ears. Sensing that this had gone far enough the Dean moved quickly to bring an end to the session, thanking Campbell profusely for his attendance, before escorting him away from the lecture theatre.

****

Outside, as they strolled across to the car park, Campbell inquired regarding the Dayak student.

‘She's one of my best,'
the professor claimed, proudly,
‘and will most likely top her class.'
The bespectacled
guru
hesitated, took Campbell's arm and turned to face the younger man.
‘You handled that well, Stewart,'
he said, in a fatherly tone.
‘Angela Dau can be overly aggressive, but I have a special interest in seeing that she comes to no harm while away from home.'

Campbell
waited for the professor to continue, accustomed to the man's frequent pauses for effect.

‘Her father placed her in my care while she completes her studies.'
The Dean then looked up into the American's eyes.
‘Jonathan Dau and I flew MiGs together during Soekarno's time.'
He observed the moment of puzzlement sweep Campbell's suntanned features.
‘Jonathan is her father. He is also a highly respected Dayak chief.'

Campbell
was taken aback, impressed.
‘And you flew, together?'
he asked, a new respect creeping into his voice for the balding academic.

‘Yes,'
the Dean confirmed,
‘and there's more.'

The men stood in the shade, a few hundred meters from where Campbell's driver remained faithfully alongside the Mercedes, the professor revealing that Jonathan Dau was also a revered
dukun.
Campbell expressed surprise, the professor agreeing that it was unusual, but then he went on to explain that, within some indigenous Dayak communities, it was not uncommon to find a hereditary chief who also carried the mantel of village shaman.
‘Angela is an only child, Stewart, and, as such, will carry considerable influence within the Dayak communities when she returns.'

Again, Campbell was surprised.
‘She intends returning to the isolation and primitive conditions. Why?'

It was the professor's turn to show surprise.
‘To help her people, of course!'
Then he grinned, mischievously.
‘That's what anyone would expect of a Dayak chief.'

Campbell
peered into the other man's wrinkled features, unsure of the professor's statement.
‘A woman – as chief?'

‘Yes, certainly, with her people's support,'
the professor explained.
‘There are matriarchal, indigenous groups throughout Indonesia.The Bataks in Sumatra are an example.And then there are the matriarchal tribes of Borneo where the women practise polyandry.'

‘What was the name of Angela's ethnic group she mentioned back there?'
Campbell
asked. The professor then briefly explained the origins of the
Penehing Dayaks
, Campbell arriving at the conclusion that if Angela Dau's high-spiritedness was common amongst the Upper-Mahakam women, he should make a point of visiting when the opportunity arose. Although he had frequented
Kalimantan
on numerous occasions, Campbell had yet to venture further upstream along the Mahakam River than the rapids.

On the drive back to Jakarta, he could not get Angela out of his mind, the story of her family so intriguing Stewart Campbell fell asleep that night, with her name still fresh on his lips.

****

The pair hurried across the square and, as they approached the group of boys Nani pulled Angela back.
‘Don't run,'
she whispered, hoarsely,
‘they'll think we're too anxious.'

Angela came to an abrupt halt, the sharp look sufficient exchange for Nani to realize she had already said too much.
‘What exactly did you tell the boys?'
she was keen to know.

Her friend cupped one hand and whispered conspiratorially, as if the waiting group of students could hear.
‘I didn't tell them anything,'
she embellished,
‘just that you agreed to go on the picnic.'

Angela looked directly into Nani's eyes, the distinct feeling that she was lying causing her to hesitate.
‘If you think I am going to go with Didi,'
she insisted, referring to the tall, Menadonese lad who had often made it clear regarding how he felt,
‘then you are going to be disappointed!'
With this, Angela stood her ground refusing to advance further.
‘So, what have you said to them, really?'
she pressed, arms crossed over her breasts.

‘Look, ‘Gela,'
Nani persisted
, ‘they aren't expecting anything. Promise! It's just that they are going up to Tangkaban Perahu on their bikes and I thought it would be fun to go for a ride.'
The prospect of revisiting those surrounds did not particularly appeal. Angela had been there a dozen times already, the active site shouldering the surrounding hills of Bandung, a constant reminder that this island of Java hosted most of the world's active volcanoes. Her last visit had resulted in near disaster when the volcano's crater had burst into increased activity, the sulphur-laden air catching her group by surprise as the deadly cloud rose heavily into the air. Angela was not in a hurry to repeat that experience.

Nani then took a stab at Angela's pride – and her Achilles Heel.

‘Are you scared of the road?'
she tried, referring to the dangerous curved track that led up to the summit overlooking the volcano's crater. Angela unfolded her arms and placed these defiantly on hips.

‘Let's go,'
she snapped, now in a hurry to prove that she was not, sauntering ahead of Nani to join the group of youngsters waiting in the large shadow cast by the
beringin
tree.

This one hundred-year-old banyan was a recognized gathering point for the Year Three students – and young lovers. It was said that the founding president, when still a student studying engineering, first fell in love with Inggit Garnasih under this very tree. The male students used this fable to ingratiate themselves with their prey, the number of young women who had lost their virginity within sight of this seemingly perpetual marker over the years, uncountable. Angela waved nonchalantly as she approached the underpowered group of Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki motorbikes, observing that the majority of these already boasted pillion passengers. A moment of concern passed when she spotted an unpopular boy sitting astride his bike, and made a beeline directly to his side.

‘Hi, Joko,'
she pretended, climbing behind the surprised youth,
‘thanks for waiting for us.'
She glanced across at Didi, struggling to contain his anger and disappointment, so stung by what she had done he gunned the inadequate Suzuki which spluttered, then died, adding to his embarrassment.