The stories gathered here are taken from a set of ancient tablets a distant relative of mine picked up when he was stationed in India and Indo-China with the British army some time around the end of the 19th century. Apparently he was obsessed with the sunken continent of Lemuria which some people believed to have existed South of the Indian subcontinent, connecting Indonesia with India and Madagascar.
As our understanding of geography, geology and plate tectonics developed over the centuries this hypothesis obviously became discredited. With most of us, certainly in the West, considering these stories nothing but myths and legends. The tablets are valuable as artefacts but not thought to provide real historical insights.
That is until we learned about the sunken subcontinent of Sundaland and all the evidence that points to this being an important place for early humanity, before the cataclysm of the Younger Dryas Impact that submerged the land. Could it be that the legends of Lemuria and the tales of Alom Takal had a basis in reality, but that the location was mistaken? Are Lemuria and Sundaland one and the same?
Below I present the stories of Alom Takal and others that have been translated from the tablets so far. I will continue to add more as I receive them from the translators I'm working with. It should be noted that these stories were passed down over generations and through several languages before they were written down in ancient Sanskrit and now English. Even the name Alom Takal has no Sanskrit equivalent nor in any languages of Southeast Asia.
So you must forgive inconsistent timelines apparent contradictions, references to fantastical creatures and mystical or magical happenings. It is almost certainly the case that things have been mistranslated and distorted over the centuries. But in the interest of conveying what's been written on these tablets as accurately as possible the translations are presented unedited.
Introducing Sundaland:
I've travelled across Sundaland many times as an envoy and trader but I am afraid there are not enough life times for me to explore all of its wonders and beauty. It is a land of art, craftmanship and culture the likes of which has never existed before. Yet it is also the place of turmoil and war, where various peoples chance at clambering up to heights of power and wealth through diplomacy or violence. Some succeed, many fail. The successful build monuments to commemorate their victories while the vanquished are forgotten in the deep mists of time. In any case, I am sure that this land will shine until the last days as a beacon for all that wish to rise up from our animal states and take our place as people of words and deeds when the final stories of the world are recounted.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Travelling in Sundaland:
The rivers of Sundaland provide one of the most reliable form of transport especially in the central plains and lowlands. At higher elevations they are not as navigable due to rapids, waterfalls and dense vegetation. There are some paved roads, especially between large towns and cities, but not all of them are well maintained. Some are more than a thousand years old, laid down by kingdoms that had an abundance of labour and resources. Others are merely frequently travelled trails where the vegetation and earth has been worn down over the years.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Regarding Hyenas:
Though many of the great beasts of Sundaland had been slain when the first people conquered the land there are still and abundance of dangerous creatures stalking the land. On the grassy plains and in the lightly forested hills there dwell packs of large Hyenas. They come to waist height of a grown man and are aggressive when disturbed eating or protecting their young.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
On the multitude of civilisations that existed in Sundaland over the centuries:
Some scholars claimed that many cities, kingdoms and empires had come and gone in their land, that the history of Sundaland stretched back thousands of years with cultures climbing up from barbarity reaching pinnacles of culture and sophistication before falling in to ruin, whether through war, internal strife, pestilence or other disasters. Perhaps even as punishment from their gods for their arrogance. Across the land one could see the ruins of bygone ages and even how new cities, temples and palaces were built upon the ruins of the old.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
On merchant trade across the seas:
In those days Sundaland was a centre for commerce thanks to an abundance of commodities and skilled craftsmen. A thousand ships set out from the harbours of the cities powered by oar and sail to bring hard woods, animal hides, metal ore, jewellery and more to any that could afford them. They sailed up the East coast even as far as the land of the Yellow river and returned with jade, precious metals and stones, soft fabrics and exotic animals. A network of commerce spread through the hinterlands through the rivers and roads and many people benefitted from increased demand and industry.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Regarding the Longhead people:
Sundaland is home to many amicable people willing to trade with fairness, eager to exchange knowledge and even provide aid to strangers in times of need. But there are also those that are aggressive and warlike in their disposition. Non more than the Long Head people named for the result of the skull binding they practice on their newborn.
They call themselves the Ngawar and it is said they practice binding in order to attune their minds better to the communications from their gods. Their deities must be filled with bloodlust because it seems that the Long Heads live only for war and conquest.
The stories of their assaults on peaceful people are countless and so are the rumours of the grizzly consequences for the prisoners of war they capture. Of course one can not be sure of their truthfulness since so few ever manage to escape their clutches. Slavery and human sacrifice are just the beginning of the horrors they are said to inflict on their victims. I will not repeat what else I have heard of their acts as I feel merely uttering the details somehow defiles my very being.
It is said that they once managed to organise themselves under a great leader and conquered many lands before finally being defeated by a great army of allies. Since then they have mostly been confined to more remote areas of Sundaland often quarrelling amongst themselves. Although not a generation goes by without some warlord gathering a large enough army to lay waste to various nearby cities. The potential for them to organise on a larger scale once again is always present and must surely be prepared for, lest the worst happen again.
In battle they favour no particular weapons, short swords, spears, bows and slings are all used by them. Tactics vary from group to group however it can be said that often individuals chase personal glory even at the expense of their fellows. One characteristic that is quite pervasive is the use of various plant derived medicines to alleviate pain and increase bravery and bloodlust in battle.
They are not entirely devoid of culture but most of their efforts in building monuments and temples are rather crude compared to what is found amongst other peoples. Often they are content to repurpose what they capture from others. Like most in Sundaland they have a keen interest in the motions of the stars, although they are not the most sophisticated in their knowledge of the heavens and ultimately it is just another tool to be used for control of the population by the shamans, priests and warlords.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
An anecdote about visiting the Lemukét people:
Let me tell you of the time I visited a Lemukét town accompanying a caravan of merchants. Back then I was keen to explore as many corners of Sundaland as I could and readily signed up for work with any company that would provide food and a small part of profit in exchange for my labour or spear.
I was told that the relations with the Lemukét were friendly and that we were unlikely to find ourselves in any serious danger as long as we stayed in the foreigners' quarter and kept our interactions with the locals limited to the appropriate castes, mostly our counterpart merchants in the designated market place.
Like many other cultures the Lemukét once had a more glorious past in which their power and influence stretched beyond their traditional homelands. Their rule over others was no better or worse than any other conquerers have ever been. Depending on the particular rulers in power, cruelty or benevolence where to be found in greater or lesser measures. But the eventual downfall of their empire was more due to the nature of their society than the usual invading rivals or slave revolts.
In the employment of the merchants my duty, besides protection, was to aid our party with the trading of goods. I was to measure out the correct quantities of various spices according to the agreed terms while also being present as a guard, alert and on the look out for quick hands attempting to steal away any of our assets.
We had set up our stalls in the square in the early morning after we first arrived and welcomed the locals who came to browse, haggle and barter for what we had to offer. While there are various languages spoken across Sundaland there are common words and signs used amongst many people, particularly the traders, merchants and seafarers. However I noticed that the Lemukét traders were not as accommodating to us in this regard as other people were.
They often misconstrued our meanings which I first attributed to our differing accents and ways of speaking but soon realised was feigned and meant to mock us. Their attitude was that of disdain that we did not speak their words as eloquently as they did and that we did not abide by their intricate social customs which meant we often insulted their sensibilities with every simple sentence and action that was only meant to advance a fair trade. Even looking at the wrong person in the wrong way was taken as a personal affront. This cause our work to take twice as long as necessary while they seemed to gain no benefit other than personal satisfaction at seeing us struggle.
I was allowed to take a pause from the work when the sun was at its highest and the crowds thinned out. Proclaiming I was going to eat and rest, I in fact secretly wished to indulge my curiosity and explore some of the other streets and squares. The engraved wall reliefs and statues of the local temples were famed for their beauty and I was eager to see them with my own eyes. The streets were quiet as most were seeking relief from the midday sun and I presumed my attire, as simple as it was, would not mark me out as a foreigner. I would not draw attention to myself as long as I held my tongue.
I encountered a beautiful plaza lined with trees, providing shade and cover. In the centre was a small flower garden with a large pool of clear water which I raised to my mouth to quench my thirst. That is when a call came out from a building at the far side of the court and an armed guard came rushing out. I turned around to take flight but there stood another man, face painted bright and menacing, large plumes crowning from a headdress and a spear pointed at my chest.
They started shouting at me and although I did not understand their words it was clear I had trespassed and they wanted to know who I was. I raised my hands in appeasement and moved by instinct I spoke out in apology. Learning I was a foreigner enraged them and one of the guards struck me hard against the cheek with the back of his hand. I cowered down sure that I was about to be run through by their spears but the guards pulled me up and marched me to the main building where they bound my hands.
What followed was several days of imprisonment, where I was subjected to the full bureaucracy of the Lemukét legal system. I was moved from building to building where I was paraded in front of what I presumed to be various kinds of courts of elders. Often the discussion between the various officials seemed to be about anything other than my supposed crime. Standing under guard in the corner of a hall discussions and arguments would rage until the sun set without ever questioning or even motioning to me.
Eventually my employers were brought into the proceedings and I was made aware that I was being used as an excuse to dispute the mercantile rights of a particular clan. The various families of the Lemukét being ever involved in political machinations to further their goals would use the convoluted laws of their society as a means to attack and undermine each other.
That is when I understood why the Lemukét where not able to hold on to their empire. Layers of bureaucracy, social stratification and stifling social customs were a constraint that incentivised the clans to work for short term gain and eschew cooperation for mutual benefit. Their ways were not sustainable on a larger scale and while once in a generation they might be united under strong leadership eventually the squabbling between the various interest groups would cause internal fractures and divisions to their overall detriment.
In any case, my freedom was bought with a fine which came from my expected profit from the venture and I was told to count myself lucky that I did not end up on a stake or in an arena fighting for my life against slaves and beasts. The reason that I was set free with merely a fine being that the two opposing clans did not want to escalate matters further between them for fear it would turn into open violence, the Lemukét on the whole preferring to see that their rivals suffer suspiciously common 'accidents' like drowning in the river after late night walks.
While the Lemukét often send out envoys to other peoples in the hopes of further increasing trade and commerce, and they do have much to offer in terms of resources and artisanal goods, I believe that if they are ever to enjoy more prosperity and have more influence in the lands of Sundaland they must become more welcoming both to strangers and to change as their culture is too rigid to allow the full flourishing of their people.
For the right price or venture I would travel in those lands again. But I doubt the ways of the Lemukét have changed much in the intervening years so I would make sure to keep to myself as much as I could and get out when the deals are done.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
On the use of metals in Sundaland:
It was the promise of gold that first brought the traders of my people to these lands. It was said that it was as common as the sand on the beaches and that even the people of the lowliest cast possessed golden artefacts to adorn their fingers, necks and ears. While that was an exaggeration, gold is still valued and prized amongst the wealthy and powerful, it is certainly more abundant here than anywhere else.
The people of Sundaland are in want of tin, since the earth here does not yield much of it. Luckily that is something we can supply and the trade in one for the other is thus mutually beneficial. There are some tin mines in the central areas of this land but access and control of them are often contested and even the cause of wars.
You might ask, why is tin deemed worthy of a trade for gold and something to shed blood for? Well it is necessary for the creation of bronze with which to fashion both the strongest plow and the sharpest spear.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
A fantastical story about large human eating frogs:
As travel on the rivers is most common, it is inevitable that one must pass through the many swamps and marshes of the land. These regions offer a constant assault from all manner of animal and insect. Clouds of insatiable mosquitos, ravenous leeches, voracious crocodiles and venomous snakes are just some of the hazards that await.
There are even tribes that make their homes in these foul places, building their homes raised above the water on wooden piles or on the sparsely scattered islands of firm ground. Some of these peoples are open to trade and commerce while others shun all contact from the outside and are known to guard their territory with murderous violence.
The wetlands are some of the most ancient places of Sundaland, where creatures have existed for countless ages before any tribe settled. The locals speak of giant turtles the size of a longhouse and snakes that can swallow a man whole. And then there are other stories told around the fire that strike a deep unease in both the young and fully grown.
It is said that deep in the swamps there exist frogs, almost as tall as a man, nimble with their limbs and minds. Possessing mental faculties beyond any known animal and perhaps even possessing their own speech. Some say they build their own cities, being deep connected underwater caves in which to spawn, and that they tend shallows and ponds for food the way we tend our gardens.
There are grim tales of these beings venturing into villages in the depths of the night to steal away children, or that they sometimes prey upon the fishing canoes, pulling those caught daydreaming about their next catch down into the depths.
Some tribes, having no doubt in the true existence of these creatures, have entered into a gruesome appeasing worship of them. They build shrines to provide offerings of food and valuables, even captured enemies which they will tie to a tree near the water, sometimes even one of their own. Of course few can claim to have actually seen one these frog-people. But all can attest to hearing the screams of the sacrificial victims at night with no trace or trail left behind when the morning comes.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Regarding the volcanic activity of Southeast Asia:
Sundaland is a land surrounded by mountains that contain fire, smoke and ash. Some of these mountains are known to lie asleep for many ages before cracking and exploding, spreading destruction far and wide.
But the fire destroys the old and provides nourishment for the new. So it is that the foothills and plains nearby have dark and fertile earth.
Many people have settled in those lands where plants grow quickly with bountiful fruit.
And many have perished when the fire comes to start the cycle anew.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom TakalOn the social hierarchies and division of labour in Sundaland:
It is said that the gods ordered the world such that every living being has its own place and role to fulfil in order to maintain the order of things. From the tigers in the jungle to the fish in the river.
And so to the men and women of the world must know and fulfil their role whether they be a warrior or a fisher.
However I sometimes wonder if the order of things is really so set and immutable. After all there are many stories told of ancient cities and kingdoms that fell from glory.
Were there kings and queens not in their proper place? Who now can even remember their names? And can not a lowly soldier gain renown on the battlefield and have bestowed upon him land and titles?
I am a merchant and trader like my father and mother, like their parents before. And so in turn shall I teach my children to sail, explore and seek opportunity. My family has grown in prosperity as each generation built upon the the successes of the past. Who is to say where that can lead to? What is their proper place in the world?
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
A legend about large primates that live in the forests:
In the deep highland forests there are said to still dwell the last members of an ancient beast: a giant red haired ape that rises twice the height of any man or woman. They are said to be the lords of the forest, more fearsome even than the tiger. Some stories tell of individuals that develop a taste for flesh and that they will even stalk and prey on humans when the opportunity arrives.
I admit this being hard to envision since it seems most animals are skittish and careful to avoid people, only prone to aggression as a defence against our encroachment into their lands. I wonder if such behaviour can be explained then if they feel threatened, cornered or in some other desperate temperament?
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
An account of a city perched high upon a rock outcrop:
As we made our way out of the forest and into open fields my eyes were drawn towards the outcrop that was our destination.
At first its size and scale were hard to judge. But as we approached the city, the walls and buildings below made the enormity of the rock apparent. Above our heads the palace clung to the top like Swallow's nest. It looked impenetrable.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Another tale about great lizards, perhaps Megalania?
If you travel to the islands of the Whale hunters be warned that straying into the wilderness could lead you to encounter great lizards which have been known to take down and kill fully grown men. Further to the South East there is a land where there are said to be even bigger examples of this monster. Large enough to swallow a person whole!
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
On settlements built underground:
The inhabitants reasoned that since they were going to spend all their days digging into the earth searching for ores and precious stones, they might as well build their homes there. Thousands of them lived in small but comfortable dwellings. Everything necessary for a normal surface life was provided for. Storage rooms, halls to receive traders, a place for their kept animals and cisterns for water.
I was told that planning had also been put into how to defend the city but of course that would only be necessary if the entrance were to be discovered by their enemies. As you might guess outsiders can only be led to the entrance location when blindfolded.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom TakalOn the layout of a city and a particular focus on number of certain features:
There are two pyramids at the centre of the city, one each for the Sun and Rain gods. Located on the North and South sides of the central plaza the red stones of the pyramids crawl with priests and pilgrims that climb up and down the 36 steps of each staircase while reciting prayers and mantras. A broad walkway passes between the pyramids from East to West and there are 72 archways through which, once per year, the rising sun is precisely aligned.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom TakalRegarding the monsoons in Sundland:
When the winds shift and the rains start to fall the people of Sundaland celebrate the nourishment it brings to the land. They give thanks and offerings to their gods and enjoy festivities with their families. The weeks and months ahead will result in a bounty that is a reward for hard work and preparations made during the rest of the year.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
Regarding an unusual city:
The city walls were as tall as four men and as thick as three, with guards and lookouts posted at intervals all along the top. The main entrance gate had two large doors covered with polished sheets of bronze, cast with the forms of the 12 tigers. Inside the walls the buildings seemed much like others of the area, tightly packed mud brick dwellings built in a continuous complex with only the occasional alley or street between them. But curiously none of them could be entered from the ground level, the only entrance being hatches on the roof. This meant that intruders could be delayed by pulling up the ladders that led to the top. Even the citadel of the elder council was accessible only by large wooden staircases that could be removed when necessary.
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
On the author's love of traversing the rivers and seas of Sundaland:
My love of the water first started when as a child I stole my father's canoe to take out on to the lake. When I was old enough I joined the fishermen and women, then the traders who travelled down the river. My journeys took me further each time until I finally set my eyes on the sea that stretched out forever. Since then I've rowed and sailed in service of many different merchants and kings. It matters not under which flag I journey, as long as I'm looking out at that horizon.
- Toa Amak the Navigator
Legends of the Star Gods:
When the land was still young they came in their many ships, down from the heavens where they existed first. Here they, whom we call the travellers from the stars, found a forest covered land with abundant fruit and flowers, air filled with the songs of birds, the calls of monkeys, the growling of tigers and the trumpeting of elephants.
They set out to build high towers and great palaces to make their homes in and recruited the animals to help them in these efforts. The animals were directed to dig into the earth for stone and jewels, and to cut down trees and divert rivers and lakes. And many of the animals were taught to speak so that they could more easily be guided in this work.
It is said that the star-travellers could take the clay from which all creation was fashioned and mould and press it into new shapes as they saw fit. To make small fruits grow large, to make beasts stronger or walk upright where before they were on all fours, to give a snake limbs or to even make a fish breathe air and walk on land.
However even in their wisdom there was disagreement amongst them. First arguments, then conflict and eventually open war; although it is not known why or to what end. Battles raged on mountain tops and in deep caverns. Entire cities were destroyed with terrible magic, and ever more fearsome monstrosities were created with which to chase enemies across open seas and down into deep mines where it was hard for them to reach.
Eventually the wars of the star-travellers ended, but with no ultimate victor or vanquished. The lands were ravaged and our people were there amongst the ruins. In service we had been taught how to carve stone and pour metal. How to sail ships and cast nets. And how to tend forest gardens and herd animals. This is how we managed to survive in the aftermath of so much devastation.
The travellers from the stars left in their ships, for reasons as mysterious as what brought them in the first place. Although it is said some stayed behind guarding in mountain fortresses or still lie resting in tombs in deep caverns.
Even then there was no peace as the surviving animal servants warred amongst themselves for the inheritance that was left behind. Our people eventually prevailed over all others who then forgot how to speak, or perhaps choose no longer to talk with us because of what we did. Those that refused to submit fled into the forests and swamps, or into the cold mountains and the deep oceans where they plot to one day return and overthrow us.
Since those times we've multiplied, prospered and built new cities, using what we remember from our teachers to honour them, even attempt contact with them and request their return. There are ambitious amongst us who believe there is still yet more to learn from the star-travellers. And that there are to be found in the ruins of those ancient towers, cities and tombs knowledge and artefacts, magic and weapons that can benefit us still. There are even said to be the wrecks of some of their enormous ships situated in the remote parts of the land. Could they be repaired and sailed to the stars to meet their original captains?
- Unknown Author
The priests were dizzy and swaying from the plant brew that they had ingested an hour earlier. Now, standing in front of each other, with an obsidian dagger in each of their hands, they were ready to fight to the death. The loser would be the sacrifice that would appease the gods of the rain winds and bring honour on his family and clan. The winner would have to leave the city with his family until the motion of the stars across the sky had completed a full cycle. The circular arena of red stone seated a baying crowd of thousands. They chanted along to the rhythm of their rattles and drums slowly increasing the tempo and volume to a crescendo. Suddenly the high priest-king, from his balcony, dropped a jade encrusted sceptre into the sandy floor below. The combatants lunged at each other, as best they could.
- Unknown narrator
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