Finishing daughter Linda's movie, Rawa Kehidupan

Return to Linomoyo

Lepmil crew and I went to Linomoyo in Konawe Utara, Sulawesi Tenggara, to complete filming of Linda's movie "Rawa Kehidupan", in 2011.

Uki and Ekeng: Coffee stop on the road from Kendari

I promised I would return one day. The community leader Pak Taufiq said "Learn Indonesian and come back and talk with us". But when I finally got back there to thank him for his inspiration, Pak Taufiq was absent on a visit to South Sulawesi.

Early morning - just before the mountain cloud, and my tummy bug, arrived. The thumb-like lump on that mountain is said to be growing taller, so I want to compare next time!

Village life, and the 10 point village program

Ekeng [the movie director] Jhoni and Uki who were part of the support crew, and I were able to see much development and increase in prosperity in the village.

Pak Sumardin's large house - room for his growning family, but consternation at least for me - no bathroom! Not even running water. Maybe next time ...

A substantial dermaga, or pier, has been built on the river; there are new houses including a large one for the Village Head [Kepala Desa] Pak Sumardin; there are new areas of sawah and other crops; and last year there was a very popular local fishing competition.

This is the "dermaga", built to facilitate the fishing industry that is the real wealth of the village at the moment.

Pak Sumardin never did support the offer of a Chinese company to mine the limestone of the mountains which inspired "Rawa Kehidupan". But now he is supported by the rest of the village to establish an eco-tourism industry based around the river and swamp, forest and lakes, limestone mountains and caves once inhabited by ancient peoples, and birdlife.

A large pink heron Merging of swamp, river, mountains and sky

Ekeng recorded the traditional stories recounted by Pak Sumardin and Pak Idris, which Ekeng will transcribe. I will translate and return them to the community as bilingual stories so they will not be lost to future generations as they learn other languages.

0ur dinner, a magnificent example of river fish called 'mas', arrived, carried by a proud fisherman who was delighted to have not only a receptive audience but one which was ready to buy his catch.

Fisherman and fish, and the River Lalindu.

This beautiful little lake, such an amazing colour, is in the middle of the new cropland.

Blue Lake in Linomoyo

Unfortunately I picked up a tummy bug so we had to leave after only one night. However we did achieve the main purposes of our visit: an update on the village affairs and the traditional stories.