Like East Timor, Danu is a former Portuguese colony north of Australia. It is invaded and occupied by its giant neighbour, which is not named, but is based on Indonesia. The people of the occupying country are referred to throughout the book as the "malai". This similar to "malae", the word for foreigner in Tetum, East Timor's main language. Danu is annexed by the "malai" and declared their 'fifty-eighth province', over which their green and white flag is raised.