One afternoon four years ago, a man came to Tumenggung Ngukirs group on the lower reaches of the Makekal River. The man, who claimed to be sent by someone named Bahar from Tanah Garo, brought with him a sack of rice, a bag of sugar and some coffee. In return he asked for four strapping youths to cut trees.

For the sake of tradition, Enjam (who was 13 at the time) and three other children had no choice but to obey Bahars request. They cut down tre