Nearly a quarter of a million people died from the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004; the majority of deaths were in Indonesia. But one island, off the coast of the hardest-hit province in Sumatra, had just a handful of deaths. Researchers say residents on the island of Simeulue survived, in part, because of folklore passed down from generation to generation. Twenty years later, locals are trying to keep these traditions alive. Leila Goldstein [LIE-luh GOLD-steen] spoke with survivors on the Island.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?