An Outcast of the Islands · Character

Lakamba

A Malay trader-turned-ruler in Sambir who arrived with two small vessels and never forgave Patalolo for getting there first.

supporting

Also known as Tuan Lakamba, the startled Lakamba

First appearance: an outcast of the islands

As a supporting figure in An Outcast of the Islands, Lakamba is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The exiled prince-pretender who, with Babalatchi's encouragement, seeks to overthrow Patalolo and gain power in Sambir.

In the storyVOpen this moment free

Lakamba is a bull-necked adventurer who settled in Sambir expecting to dominate it and found old Patalolo already in quiet command. He schemes with the one-eyed Babalatchi in a riverside watch-house, listening to talk of the white men who keep arriving on Lingard's river. His thwarted ambition and willingness to trade in other people's secrets make him a slow-moving but persistent threat to the settlement's fragile order.

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Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Lakamba sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Sambir power players
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Willems’s conf…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Babalatchi
professional · positive
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious… How this plays out →
Captain Lingard
rivalry · negative
Babalatchi
professional · positive
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious… How this plays out →
Captain Lingard
rivalry · negative
Babalatchi
professional · positive
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious… How this plays out →

Babalatchi
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba.
Captain Lingard
Lingard and Lakamba are political and commercial adversaries, each vying for control over the region's trade.
Babalatchi
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba.
Captain Lingard
Lingard and Lakamba are political and commercial adversaries, each vying for control over the region's trade.
Babalatchi
Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lakamba in an outcast of the islands

In the story

Lakamba appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
The exiled prince-pretender who, with Babalatchi's encouragement, seeks to overthrow Patalolo and gain power in Sambir.
I
Mentioned as the ruler of the campong where Aissa is staying, indicating his involvement in local power dynamics.
Chapter II
The chief, half asleep and sulky, sits in his chair, blinking solemnly, while his followers play chess and await Babalatchi's return.
III
A local ruler who discusses plans with Abdulla, offering men and canoes, but is wary of Willems' violent behavior.
V
Hosts Abdulla and celebrates the anticipated change in power.
Chapter II
Assumes power after Patalolo's abdication, supported by Abdulla.
I
Mentioned as the owner of the campong; Babalatchi is described as his servant.
Chapter II
Referenced as the ruler Babalatchi will serve, living in Patalolo's stockaded house.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lakamba unlock in the free preview.

See Lakamba in an outcast of the islands

See Lakamba in V