# Lakamba — Almayer’s Folly character guide

> Lakamba in Almayer’s Folly by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sultan Lakamba, the Rajah of Sambir, the Rajah, Rajah

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

The sleepy, sulky Rajah of Sambir, roused from his curtained quarters only when trade, tribute, or a rival's scheming demands his grudging attention.

## Who they are

Lakamba rules Sambir from a plank house behind a stockade, surrounded by armed relations and a household of wives, more interested in comfort than in statecraft. He receives Dain at night in a hastily tied sarong, letting Babalatchi do the thinking and the talking while he waits to see which way the profit lies. His indolence and his rivalry with Almayer over river trade make him a slow but decisive weight on the story's balance.

## Relationships

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/babalatchi)

_professional_

Babalatchi serves as the chief advisor and manipulator for the Rajah Lakamba, orchestrating schemes for their mutual benefit.

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/babalatchi)

_professional_

Babalatchi serves as the chief advisor and manipulator for the Rajah Lakamba, orchestrating schemes for their mutual benefit.

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/babalatchi)

_professional_

Babalatchi serves as the chief advisor and manipulator for the Rajah Lakamba, orchestrating schemes for their mutual benefit.

## In the story

### [Chapter 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/almayer-s-folly)

The Rajah of Sambir, engaged in power struggles and wary of Almayer's connections.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/ii)

Lakamba is the new ruler of Sambir, allied with the Arabs, who secretly plots against Almayer while maintaining a friendly facade.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/iii)

Impatiently awaits news from Almayer's upriver excursions, hoping to learn of hidden treasure.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/iv)

Receives news of Dutch interference and is reconciled with Almayer through Dain's mediation.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/vi)

The Rajah of Sambir is anxious about Dutch reprisals and threatens Dain, but is restrained by Babalatchi. He is portrayed as aging and fearful, longing for peace.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/ix)

Lakamba discusses the situation with Babalatchi, agrees to help Dain escape, and feigns illness to avoid the Dutch officers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/lakamba
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters