Feature | Nemanja Glumac
is home to several ethnic groups of which
more than 90% are Muslims. Islam shapes
the lifestyle and influences the everyday
life of the people here much like the karst
topography dominates the local landscape.
Within these soluble rocks, a vast network of
underground caves are hidden and it is within
this darkness that something far more valuable
and interesting is kept. These caves hold a
secret and tell untold stories. Stories of youth
and love.
On the first day, we decided to escape the
scorching temperatures of Pangkep streets
and headed to the nearest mountains. From
what I learnt, you can easily figure out where
the caves are by the number of motorcycles
parked seemingly in the middle of nowhere
by the side of the road. We stopped next to
a few motorbikes and started climbing some
improvised stairs. The air became colder and
more humid as we were approaching the first
entrance to a cave no bigger than an average
living room. Before I even noticed them,
my voice and foreign language had already
attracted attention. It was a couple. They had
that shy and guilty look on their faces as they
looked at me but my friend was just smiling
mysteriously, as if she knew what they were
doing. Only when I saw the second and the
third couple did it finally dawn on me why
they were here, hiding from the scrutiny
of their parents and curious town folks.
Mountain caves were the perfect shelter and
hideaway for a romantic re