A strange name—the name of a foreign legendary character—is mentioned in a famous Indonesian literary work, but it is never clear why or who that figure is. We come across him in a poem by Chairil Anwar which thousands of us read for half a century.

Aku kira

Beginilah nanti jadinya

kau kawin, beranak dan berbahagia

Sedang aku mengembara serupa Ahasveros

Dikutuk-disumpahi Eros

Aku merangkaki dinding buta

Tak satu jua pintu te