FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 8 BALIEM RIVER SPRINGS

EPS 8 BALIEM RIVER SPRINGS

A little bird was trapped in the spider web. His body moved struggling trying to free itself. But the more he thrashed, the stronger the ropes that the spider had entangled him. When he was no longer able to work, the spider came to him. Don't blame me, you trapped yourself in my house, he said before injecting poison that made the little bird not breathe anymore.

For days Marlon and Marlin had been circling the forbidden forest. They walked without directions and were not armed with enough knowledge. Actually, their legs have ventured all the way here, but they've never been inside. The last forest at the border of Nemangkawi Ninggok, or Jayawijaya peak that is always covered with snow, is so dark and full of mystical impressions.

They are caught in a confusing game of nature. Nor do they know where the black orchid grows. Marlon and Marlin have even heard of golden black orchids. But a strong determination to get a cure for the recovery of the brother makes them not want to give up.

Marlin stopped her, then sat on a low-growing branch of the Matoa tree almost touching the ground. The blackened fruit indicates that the contents are ripe. It tastes so sweet like rambutan. He grabbed some of the fruit with his right hand. But Marlon took it.

“Do not carelessly pluck fruit in this forest. Ask this tree guard first.”

Marlin undoes his intentions. She remembered her brother and two aunts who were cursed by the forest guards for destroying the star trees in the forest. Finally he just kept silent while imagining the deliciousness of the Matoa fruit. His stomach was hungry and thirsty.

Matoa (Pometia pinnata) is a typical fruit of Papua, classified as a large tree with an average height of eighteen meters with a maximum average diameter of one hundred centimeters . It generally bears fruit once a year. It flowers from July to October and bears fruit three or four months later. It grows well in areas where the soil conditions are dry (not inundated) with a thick layer of soil.

“How is this brother? It has been days we circled in this forest, but did not find black naggrek flowerkeeamasan,” he said later.

Marlon fell silent. He kept thinking how to find the orchid. It was futile for them to walk around in circles without knowing the direction and destination. There must be a way to find the flower if there is one.

“Try you think Marlin, where usually the black creature lives?” ask Marlon.

“Usually creatures that live in darkness, as they adapt to the environment that forms them,” Marlin said.

Marlon smiles.

“Stool once.”

“Why are you asking that?”

“As you said, most likely the black orchid was growing in a dark place. He was whistling because of the shadow of the light he reflected.”

“Sinar? Sunlight you mean?”

“Any light, can also be fire light.”

Marlin nodded his head. Apparently he was beginning to understand his brother's way of thinking.

“Then what will we do, sis?”

“We explore the Baliem river. The springs must be in the darkness of this forest.”

“Are you ready to do it?” marlon asked as if he could read his sister's mind.

“Of course I'm ready, sis,” he said as he nodded quickly.

Marlon stood up and looked at the darkness of the forest. His attitude was so gallant without the slightest fear. It was hard for him to back off before the task was completed. He tied his head with a rope woven from dried melinjo tree bark fibers. He also tightly grasped his bow and arrows in a cautious manner.

For the Dani tribe, the bow and arrow became one of the precious treasures. They use it for hunting, self-defense or for revenge. The size of the bow is adjusted to the wearer. A man's bow is half a yard longer than his height. The bow is made of hard wood and is straped from bamboo.

The ends of the arrows are made of three main materials: bamboo, wood and bone. Zehai, the end of an arrow made of wood, is used to shoot small animals and birds. Like, the tip of an arrow made of bamboo, used to target wild boars and ostriches. The last is Fai, an arrowhead made of kangaroo bone, made to kill manusaia.

***

Marlon and Marlin went hand in hand and continued to squeeze into the forest. The breeze felt cool as soon as it entered the inner forest area. Huge trees and lush bushes seemed to engulf their bodies in darkness. Only the hope of healing the elder brother still guided their feet. Suddenly they felt their feet getting wet. There is also a splash of flowing water.

“Rupanya we have reached the upper reaches of the Baliem river, brother,” whispered Marlin.

Marlon nodded his head. Then his right hand signaled for Marlin to continue following him while being vigilant. He also took out a necklace containing Iles Mowa's mustika, which was given to Nene Yoteni. Nene said the stone in the necklace would shine in the darkness. But they have not yet entered the darkest forest. They still saw streaks of sunlight that pierced through the gaps between the lush forest leaves.

“Hugh! What smell is this brother?” marlin almost vomited.

After some time down the stream of water deep into the forest, suddenly they smelled a very foul smell piercing the nose. The two twin boys instantly closed their breathing senses. As a Papuan child they immediately that the stench must have come from the carcass of a large animal that died a few days ago.

“Looks like a carcass smell. But brother does not know what carcass, here it is really dark,” he said as his feet fumbled the flat bottom of the river.

Just as he finished saying those words, suddenly the stone that was on the necklace gave off a very bright light. The radiance illuminated every corner of the forest. Make everything clearly visible. The towering hardwood trees surrounded them. And what they saw in front of them was truly shocking. The eyes of the two twin boys were amazed to see it.

At the upper end of the river there is a mound of land resembling a small island. In the middle of it was a pond that contained very clear water. The water from the pond flowed out from the crevices of the rocks surrounding it. Apparently this is the very famous Baliem river spring. It is only fitting that there are rarely humans who dare to come here, because this place is so dark.

And darkness always presents a mystery, we never know what will happen in its darkness.