IN a darkened room, a sikerei sat on the floor while chanting a mantra. In his hands were a bunch of white simakkainuk blooms with the leaves intact. His head was tied with colorful beads adorned with hibiscus blooms and leaves. Both his cheeks were painted with black dots. He was also wearing a bead necklace. From the necklace were aileleppet leaves which the sikerei—or the traditional healer—used for healing rituals.

That morning,