When you think of Japan, your mind probably races to neon-lit cities, cherry blossoms, ancient shrines, or sushi masterpieces. But what if we told you Japan also has a desert? And not just any desert—a place where mirages shimmer across golden dunes like something out of Arabian Nights?

In the dense jungles and river basins of South Kalimantan, a profound tradition takes place—one that invites the realm of the spirits to guide human decisions. The Manajah Antang ritual, practiced by the Dayak people, is a sacred ceremony in which a spiritual bird called the Antang is summoned to offer signs and direction from the unseen world. Whether to declare war, select a leader, or prepare for a journey, the Dayak turn to the Antang for divine confirmation.