IN Kampung Tirang (Tirang village), a shabby, thin, bare-chested man shouts at villagers. He gestures with his arms, his eyes bulging wildly, spewing out his resentment against an oppressive landowner, unfair wages, and especially the interminable poverty choking his village. Jadag, the man, seems to be the only one restless and frustrated, while the rest of the villagers simply accept their lot in life and are even thankful for it.

In Turah, di