When Yue Yang and Zhang Li first stepped into the Kukur tribe's territory, they could hardly believe their eyes. Situated on a slightly elevated hill amidst the jungle, the area was still blanketed in dense forest. From the highest altar, they could see surrounding patches of trees and the meandering rivers beyond. Nestled among the greenery were over a hundred structures built from wooden planks and palm leaves. There were altars, places of worship, shrines, elliptical houses with pointed roofs, and V-shaped structures—everything a tribal civilization would need.
What surprised them even more was the casualness of the tribe's women, all of whom walked about bare-chested, entirely unselfconscious and without a hint of shyness or concealment. The two young men had never encountered such openness before. They saw young women balancing clay jars on their heads as they fetched water from the stream and others carrying clothes and food toward the river, chatting and laughing as naturally as city girls strolling through a park—except for one significant difference: they weren't wearing any clothes!
The two hot-blooded young men were visibly flustered. Zhang Li, in particular, nearly had a nosebleed when he saw Babbit, the tribe's most stunning girl, tending to Tashi Damba. She made frequent visits to his hut, staying inside for hours at a time. Their growing resentment toward Tashi Damba was palpable; they were nearly ready to murder him out of jealousy.
By all accounts, Tashi Damba wasn't younger than them and wasn't particularly handsome either. The two racked their brains and finally came to a conclusion:
"Damba has an almost supernatural charm—no, a divine attraction to females. Not just women, but all female creatures, from ages eight to eighty, seem to fall for him. It's some kind of innate magic that leaves aspiring young men like us utterly overshadowed."
"This theory is absolutely correct," Yue Yang agreed. "Wasn't there that time a female frog clung to his head and refused to let go? That must mean it was a female frog!"
Their bizarre conclusion brought them some solace. Little did they know, this absurd notion would later prove to be eerily prophetic.
"He's awake now. You can go see him," Babbit said with a charming smile, carrying a jar past the two dazed young men.
Inside the hut, Zhang Li and Yue Yang grilled Tashi Damba with questions:
"Damba, half the time has passed, and we still don't even know which direction we're heading!"
"Yeah, and the capuchin monkey says the guerillas have set up ambushes around the Kukur territory. Looks like they're just waiting for us to step outside."
"And Basang? He's doing fine now, but he seems to be having long chats with the tribe's priest. He's been at the temple since yesterday afternoon."
"Hey, Damba, Babbit's been looking after you all this time. You two wouldn't have…"
Tashi Damba, still weak and groggy, snapped back:
"You brats—I just woke up, and I don't even know where I am! Don't you know patients need rest? Can't you just leave me alone for a bit?"
"No way!" Yue Yang declared.
"Damba, these tribal girls are so passionate and bold. You better keep your emotions in check and stay true to your moral integrity. Don't do anything that would make Miss Minmin sad!"
"You… you two… Get out! That's an order!"
"Don't be mad, Damba. We're just looking out for you."
"Exactly, exactly."
Later that night, Babbit found Basang on the altar, gazing up at the stars. Reclining near the stargazing platform with the high priest's permission, Basang was the only outsider allowed such access. The altar itself wasn't particularly grand—it was essentially a raised mound of earth. On top, the Kukur people had constructed a trapezoidal platform with two tower-like wooden structures. Between them was a hollow disk with a cross-like wooden beam at its center. The disk and beam could rotate independently and were used by the high priest to observe the stars on sacred days.
Though Babbit didn't know what Basang and the high priest had discussed, anyone endorsed by the high priest commanded great respect among the Kukur people. She greeted him politely, "Mr. Basang."
"Hm." Basang's response was terse. "It's been five days." His proud demeanor carried a faint sadness, and his expression seemed a mix of conflict and heavy burden. At least, that was Babbit's impression.
Basang sighed, his tone tinged with resignation:
"This wasn't part of the plan. We only wanted to pass safely through the rainforest. At most, we anticipated harsh conditions and dangerous animals. We never expected direct confrontations with guerillas and drug traffickers. It feels as though an invisible hand is manipulating our journey. And now, even the heavens seem to be testing us."
Babbit replied, "The high priest said the great and omnipotent Chaac is angry and wants to punish those destroying the world. But honestly, I don't fully understand. Mr. Basang, can you explain what the high priest meant in modern scientific terms? You and the high priest seem to be saying the same thing."
Basang murmured, "The tropical rainforest in South America lies in an equatorial low-pressure zone, enveloped by the equatorial air mass. Normally, this region experiences around seven months of heavy cloud cover each year, with a daily cycle of clear mornings, midday cloud buildup, and afternoon downpours. But in the five days we've been here, not a single drop of rain has fallen, and the night skies have been unusually clear. Where have the rain clouds gone? Do you know what a tsunami is?"
Babbit nodded, "Yes, I've heard of it. An undersea earthquake triggers massive waves—a terrifying natural disaster. But what does that have to do with this?"
Basang explained, "Not directly, but the principle is similar. When tectonic plates shift underwater, the ocean floor's topography changes suddenly. Initially, the change doesn't manifest as a wave but as a dramatic retreat of the shoreline, revealing reefs that have never been exposed before. When the ocean seeks equilibrium, the receding water returns as towering walls, devastating everything in their path. Similarly, when low pressure is disrupted by even lower pressure, atmospheric currents disperse, pushing clouds outward like inflating a balloon. But once the 'balloon' bursts, the clouds rush back at unprecedented speeds, unleashing all the accumulated rain in a single, catastrophic deluge. Imagine the scene."
Babbit gasped softly, sensing impending danger.
Basang continued, "Such anomalies used to occur once every few centuries. But now, with large-scale deforestation, the Andes' vegetation decimated, glaciers melting faster, and reduced atmospheric pressure regulation, these events could happen every few years—or even annually. This is the price humanity pays for its actions. But don't worry; this area is higher than the surrounding terrain. Even a massive downpour wouldn't harm you."
"The high priest said Kukur would protect us," Babbit said.
"Kukur?" Basang's faint smile carried a trace of skepticism. He turned and asked, "Are you descendants of the Native Americans?"
Babbit hesitated. "I'm not sure. Maybe. Our ancestors have lived in this forest for generations. According to tribal records, we've been here since the time of the god Carcupacate, living happily under divine protection."
Looking at the star-tracking device, Basang commented, "Whatever your ancestry, your ancestors must have had a remarkable civilization. This simple instrument is incredibly effective for tracking the sun, moon, and constellations like Ursa Major and Ursa Minor."
Babbit beamed with pride but quickly grew somber. "We used to have a sacred relic passed down through generations, but it was stolen a few years ago."
Basang's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? Tell me more about this sacred relic."
It was a cylindrical stone engraved with intricate patterns, resembling a scaled-down Chinese huabiao. Babbit described it in detail, and their conversation stretched late into the night. Before leaving the altar, Basang cast one last glance at the starry sky, noting how the crescent moon had grown fuller than the previous night.
By the next afternoon, Tashi Damba had recovered enough to walk. Outside, the young leader of the Kukur warriors, Honeybear Claw, greeted him with his warriors in formation. Beyond them, the tribe's men, women, and children cheered as Babbit translated Claw's words:
"Anyone brave enough to defy General Gulle is a hero. You saved my life, so we are brothers now—family."
The whole tribe erupted in jubilation.
The Kukul tribe was jubilant, celebrating as though it were a grand festival. They brought out their finest food to honor the savior of their young leader and extended their most ceremonious blessings to Tashi Damba. During the festivities and through conversations with Zhang Li, Baba Tu, and others, Tashi Damba gradually came to understand the culture and lifestyle of the Kukul tribe.
The average height of the Kukul people was relatively short, and their skin tone was darker than most other Indigenous groups. The warriors were notably robust, with short, sturdy legs, broad shoulders, and large heads. Their brown eyes and black hair gave them a hint of Asian ancestry. Their clothing was minimal; the men wore a hand-width strip of cloth wrapped around their waists several times, with one end draped in front and the other behind, resembling the attire of Japanese sumo wrestlers. The ends of the cloth were often embroidered or decorated with feathers by their wives. Women wore simple skirts covering the lower half of their bodies. Both men and women adorned their exposed skin with tattoos, with facial tattoos being a mark of beauty. These tattoos varied by rank and identity. Only men wore headpieces, typically decorated with feathers. Ordinary men wore tail feathers of macaws, warriors used eagle feathers, while leaders like Honey Bear Claw adorned their headdresses with feathers of the Central American quetzal bird.
The Kukul people lived in houses constructed from straw and palm leaves. These homes were divided into two parts: the front served as a living room, while the back functioned as a bedroom. The houses typically lacked doors, and their low eaves provided shade and rain protection. Beds were made of woven tree branches covered with grass mats, and people used grass blankets or cotton sheets for warmth at night. Cooking was done outdoors. The tribe cultivated crops such as maize, cassava, and beans and raised livestock like llamas and alpacas. However, they primarily relied on their warriors to hunt in the jungle, with spider monkeys being a common source of food. While skilled weapon makers, the Kukul people also used modern firearms and clothing, demonstrating a balanced integration of modern civilization. They traded jungle animals in exchange for necessities, as collectors and exotic restaurants often paid high prices for these rare creatures.
Sacred and Inviolable Territory
The Kukul warriors were born and raised in the jungle, considering it their home. They were experts in jungle warfare, capable of setting simple yet effective traps for hunting. As a result, the Kukul territory was sacred and inviolable. Even guerrilla groups and drug traffickers respected this sanctity, signing non-aggression pacts with the tribe. Occasionally, traffickers paid hefty tolls to cross Kukul land, though such routes were typically on the periphery. Deeper within the territory lay even more dangerous, mysterious regions, avoided by all.
The tribe's governance was divided between civil and spiritual authorities. The civil authority rested with the chieftain, Honey Bear Claw, who was also Baba Tu's father. The spiritual authority lay with the high priest, who resided in a "temple" – a modest treehouse perched nearly 40 meters above the ground. Its elevation and unique construction inspired awe and reverence. After recovering, Basang shared insights on climate anomalies that aligned with the high priest's observations, earning an invitation for a private discussion. The high priest even allowed Basang to use the stargazing platform, a privilege that left Tashi Damba deeply intrigued.
Kukul Hospitality and Celebration
The Kukul people were known for their love of drinking. They brewed a potent and aromatic liquor using honey, water, and a special tree root. That evening, as the tribe danced and sang, Honey Bear Claw offered Tashi Damba ten bowls of this strong liquor. Without hesitation, Tashi Damba drank all ten, maintaining his composure and surprising everyone. Honey Bear Claw, who had intended to split the drink as a gesture of goodwill and competition, was left astonished. Drinking prowess was highly esteemed among the Kukul, and Tashi Damba's feat earned him widespread admiration. Baba Tu, who served him the drinks, seemed particularly impressed. Unbeknownst to them, Tashi Damba's Tibetan heritage and extensive experience in business negotiations had made him a seasoned drinker. Ten bowls of liquor were barely a challenge.
Later, at the feast, Honey Bear Claw sincerely invited Tashi Damba and his companions to stay in the village as honored guests. Baba Tu echoed this sentiment, but Tashi Damba politely declined.
Departure Planning
"Why the rush to leave?" Baba Tu asked, visibly disappointed. Even Zhang Li and Yue Yang shared her sentiment.
Tashi Damba candidly explained, "Our goal was simply to traverse the jungle as part of our wilderness survival training. We never anticipated the situation to escalate like this. The original plan was for ten days, and now half that time has passed. We've already lost two days here. Since we've recovered, we must make up for lost time."
Yue Yang interjected, "But the guerrillas are waiting just outside Kukul territory, ready to ambush us."
Zhang Li added, "Exactly. I don't know what kind of training this is, but being pursued by both drug traffickers and guerrillas seems beyond any training scenario. Even a professional special forces unit might struggle to escape unscathed. Crossing this jungle in ten days is unrealistic. We might as well stay here and wait. If no one comes to find us by then, we can attempt to make contact."
Tashi Damba frowned as Basang smirked coldly. "That doesn't sound like the Special Guards' ethos," Basang remarked. "Training is about confronting all challenges, including enemies. Giving up now would mean all our training was for nothing."
Zhang Li countered, "But we don't even have basic weapons! How are we supposed to fight guerrillas? We got lucky this time with the Kukul tribe's help. What about next time?"
Seeing tensions rise, Baba Tu looked uneasy. Tashi Damba intervened, "Enough arguing. Wilderness survival is about adapting to challenges and creating favorable conditions for survival using your wits. Who said we have to fight the guerrillas head-on? Isn't there a back route out of Kukul territory?" He directed this question to Baba Tu in English.
Baba Tu hesitated. "There is… but that area is designated as Ahe-Bechi's Rest – a forbidden zone."
"Isn't that the so-called Dead Jungle?" Yue Yang asked nervously.
Tashi Damba smiled. "Compared to guerrilla-guarded checkpoints, which is more dangerous?"
Basang shrugged. "Both are deadly. History records countless explorers lost in that jungle. It's been called the 'Graveyard of Adventurers' for a reason."
"Still, this is the 21st century," Tashi Damba said optimistically. "Technology has advanced. Just because others failed doesn't mean we will."
After some deliberation, Yue Yang reluctantly agreed, "Fine. If you're set on it, let's go."
Honey Bear Claw, through Baba Tu's translation, offered a toast. "If you're determined to leave, we won't stop you. Tonight, we celebrate and wish you the blessings of the god Chayak."
"Cheers!"