Chapter 3, Shadow of the Tuans Summary and Analysis

The men of Mauro made good on their threats of revenge for the murder of Yae through an alliance with the village of Esep. They convinced Esep to invite warriors from Haenam to a dance and, as dawn broke the next morning, men from Mauro attacked and killed four men from Haenam and injured five more. Haenam then attempted another retaliation, but failed after several attempts. Rumors from up the river delay further violence, however. Due to more alliances between various villages, the Sawi hear of news from even farther away than normal.

Word reaches them of strange new men that visited the village of Asmat. They call the strange, pale men Tuans. Rumors included the Tuans strange weapons, guns, and their strange coverings. The Asmat also describe them as tall and pale...