Like Gilbert & Sullivan's John Wellington (The Sorcerer) Wells, Indonesia's President Sukarno is a believer In magic and spells, In blessings and curses And ever-filled purses, In prophecies, witches, and knells.
At a Djakarta diplomatic reception last year, Bung Karno (meaning Brother Karno) showed up in a beautifully tailored white uniform—barefoot. As he padded around the terraces and lawns, Sukarno explained that an electric storm was brewing and "I want to build up my energy. I absorb electric impulses from the ground." Some time ago, Bung was told by his dukun (medicine...